By Lamin Sanyang
Defense Lawyer Antouman Gaye yesterday, Thursday, 4 December, cross-
examined Sheikh Omar Bah, a machine operator at Central Bank and first prosecution witness (PW1), in the case involving the state versus Mr. Momodou Sabally, former Secretary General and Minister of Presidential Affairs, which is before Justice Emmanuel Amadi of the Special Criminal Division of the High Court at Banjul.
Mr. Bah, under cross-examination, told the Court that he wrote a statement at the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) but could not remember the date. He said at the time of writing the said statement, he was a messenger, adding that the statement was taken in 2014.
PW1 told the Court that the car dealer, Mr. Hassan Ndoye, was introduced to him by his in-law. He said when they went to the defendant’s house, he first introduced him to his in-law, Sulayman Jatta, and Mr. Hassan Ndoye. He adduced that the issue of selling the cars to the President was raised in the discussion.
At this juncture, the defense lawyer asked the witness what the defendant’s response was and he responded that he only heard him talking to Mr. Ndoye about the United States of America.
There was laughter in the courtroom.
The witness was told not to be afraid.
“I am not used to this type of thing,” he said.
PW1 responded in the positive when asked whether there was no price mentioned during the discussion at the defendant’s house.
He told the Court that the cars were inspected by the defendant who asked for them to be brought to the State House the following day.
Mr. Bah said the cars keys were handed to a soldier on the directive of the defendant, adding that he cannot remember the name of the said soldier.
“I put it to you that no price was mentioned, because these cars were not meant for sale to the President,” said Lawyer Gaye.
The witness maintained that the owner of the cars told him that the cars were meant for sale to the President.
He also told the Court that he could not remember the time, date and month when he took his in-law and Mr. Ndoye to the defendant’s house, but added that it was in 2014.
The case resumes on Monday, 8th December 2014.
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