In his testimony, he told the court that on the 16th May, 2022, Alieu Manga, the accused, called him on telephone and told him that he wanted to see him urgently. He said he told the accused that he could come to his home so that they could discuss.
“The accused came to my home and told me that someone had entrusted him with some money and he had spent D55,000 from it. He appealed to me to help him settle it,” he informed the court. He further posited that he told the accused that he trusted him and would help him.
He asserted that he drew a cheque and gave it to the accused to cash at Trust Bank. He said the accused went to the bank to cash the cheque but was told by one of the cashiers that he would not be allowed to withdraw such an amount of money and was asked to tell the witness to go to the bank.
“The accused called me. I then went to the bank. I was asked whether I am the one who drew the cheque for the accused to cash. I answered in the positive. I then left,” he explained.
He asserted that the accused had told him that he had withdrawn the money. He testified further that they agreed that the accused would refund the money in two weeks’ time but he failed to do so. “I reported the matter to the Senegambia Police Station. The accused brought D10,000 and gave it to me but I gave it back to him and told him that he should refund the money in full. The accused has not yet refunded the money to me in full,” he narrated.
Under cross-examination, the accused asked the witness whether the money given to him was not meant for a business between him and the witness. The witness answered that it was not meant for a business between the two of them.
“Did we have a problem during the incident or on the agreed date for the money to be refunded?” the accused asked.
“It was after the agreed date,” said the witness.
“Didn’t you ask me for your share from the money?” the accused enquired.
“Yes, I did.”
At this juncture, the prosecuting officer asked the witness in re-examination to clarify whether he received any share from the accused.
“The accused told me that he was expecting 4,500 Euros from abroad and I told him to give me my share if he received the money,” the witness answered.
The case was subsequently adjourned to the 24th July, 2023, for Sub-Inspector Cherno Baba Jallow to call his second witness.
