The criminal trial involving two officials of Zygot Oil Company, processors of groundnut oil and cake, on Wednesday proceeded at the Special Criminal Court in
Muhammed S. Jabbie and Firyal Farage Jabbie, both officials of the Zygot Oil Company, are being tried on three -count charges of conspiracy to commit misdemeanor, obtaining goods by false pretence and cheating.
When it was put to him that when the 1st accused travelled and he the (witness) was in charge he gave instructions for medical care cards and staff ID cards, the witness said, “Yes.”
He also admitted knowing one Lena Badjie, and denied counsel’s assertions that he was angry when Ms Badjie attended a meeting at the Women’s Bureau at the instance of the 1st accused.
Counsel further asked the witness whether he told Guaranty Trust Bank that the company is in debt, and he responded in the negative.
He also denied knowing that the company is indebted.
He told the court that he was not at the company’s premises, when the Sheriff ordered the closure of the company.
PW1 as designated by the court admitted that the 1st accused paid for the machines the company is using, but did not know how much was used to purchase the equipment.
“Do you know the value of money invested in the company?” counsel asked, and the witness said the 1st accused told him that he invested $480,000 and showed him a file of documents.
He said he was provided with copies, but did not have them in his custody, adding that he misplaced them.
When it was further put it to him that on 2nd June 2010, the board of directors of the company agreed that the transfer of shares would be effected, so that he could obtain 45% of the shares, the witness said he had no idea.
Further told that on 15th June 2010, there was an extraordinary board meeting with regards to shares, Fadia said he could not remember.
The defence at that juncture applied to tender the minutes of the extraordinary meeting held by the company’s board of directors, dated 15th June 2010.
At this stage, the state counsel holding brief for the DDP told the court she is not familiar with the case.
The presiding judge then adjourned the case till 7th March for continuation.
Prosecutors accused Muhammed S. Jabbie and Firyal Farage of conspiring on diverse dates between the months of April and September 2010, at Kanifing and other places, to obtain US$216, 000 from Mustapha Dibbasey Fadia by false pretence, and with intent to defraud.
According to the particulars of offence on count two, Muhammed S. Jabbie and Firyal Farage Jabbie, on 20th September 2010, at Kanifing in the Kanifing Municipality, by false pretence and with intent to defraud overstated the value of the assets of Zygot Oil Company Limited to Mustapha Dibbasey Fadia, which the accused persons knew to be false and induced him to deliver to the accused US$216, 000 for shares that were worth D450,000 only, and thereby committed an offence.
The particulars of offense on count three stated that Muhammed S. Jabbie and Firyal Farage, on 20th September 2010, at Kanifing in the Kanifing Municipality, by fraudulent trick, overstated the value of the assets of Zygot Oil Company Limited to Mustapha Dibbasey Fadia and induced him to pay to the accused US$219,000 for shares that were worth D450, 000 only, and thereby committed an offence.
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