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

By Mamadou Dem Abdulai Sisohor, Attorney for Hamidou Jallow, former Principal Land 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).  ]]>