Defence to file a ‘No case to answer’ in Juwara & Co Trial

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By Mamadou Dem
Abdulai Sisohor, Attorney for Hamidou Jallow, former Principal LandWaa Juwara
and Evaluation Officer at the Department of Lands and Surveys,
yesterday, 22 January, told the Banjul Magistrates’ Court that he
intends to file a ‘no case to answer’ on behalf of both his client and
Waa Juwara, a former Minister of Lands.Before the pronouncement of a no case to answer was made by the
counsel, Tamsir Onasis Konteh, the first accused, continued his
defence during which he told the court that it is not true that he had
conspired with the 2nd accused to forge documents claiming ownership
of a piece of land in Tanji. He also denied the allegation of making documents
claiming the same property at the said village. He said it was the
alkalo (village head) who gave it to him. “I have no right to do so,”
he said.

Mr. Konteh testified that he did not fraudulently obtain the sum of
Three Hundred Thousand Dalasi (D300, 000) from then Deputy Inspector
General of Police (DIG), Edward Sambou. According to him, he knew the
2nd accused when he was transacting the land in Tanji.
At this juncture, Mr. Konteh’s defence attorney, Sheriff Tambadou,
informed the court that that was all for his client. Lawyer Sisohor
then told the court that he will make a no case to answer on behalf of
the said accused persons.
Consequently, the matter was adjourned to 3rd February for ruling on
the admission of land rates sought to be tendered by the defence and
the commencement of cross-examination of the first defence witness
(DW1).