By Kemeseng Sanneh (Kexx)
The state presented its first witness in the ongoing armed robbery trial involving three accused persons: Ansumana Jarju, Abdoulie Jallow, and Losseni Diabate. The trio faces three criminal counts: conspiracy to commit a felony, robbery with violence, and disabling to commit a felony or misdemeanour. The charges arise from an alleged robbery that occurred on December 31, 2024, at the United Vegetable Oil Company near Saro Denton Bridge in Banjul.
Sadivi Hauya, a labourer residing in Denton Bridge and employed by the United Vegetable Oil Company, took the stand as the prosecution’s first witness. The state is represented by Counsel M. Mballow, while Lawyers Lamin J. Darboe, E. Sanneh, and Alieu Jallow represent the accused persons.
Led in testimony by Counsel Mballow, Hauya recounted that he was at his residence on the night of December 31, 2024, when a colleague left briefly to get food. During that time, three individuals entered his home.
He described a violent encounter: “They strangled and tied up my hands and pushed me down to sit.” Hauya said the intruders were armed with cutlasses. He further testified that one man remained with him while the others searched for money. “One of them was with me while the other went to search for money and then came back with money, then tied my mouth and left,” he said.
Hauya explained that although his legs were not tied, he had difficulty moving until help arrived. “When they left, I struggled to walk until my other colleagues saw me and untied me. I then went to my house, picked up my phone, and called my brother, who later arrived with three soldiers,” he testified.
Upon their arrival, he said, they discovered the door to the house had been broken.
When asked whether he could identify any of the perpetrators, Hauya responded that two of them wore masks. Although one was not masked, he said he did not look at their faces due to fear. “I wanted to recognize him, but I was so terrified that I couldn’t,” he stated.
Under cross-examination by Lawyer E. Sanneh, representing the third accused, Ansumana Jarju, the defence pressed Hauya on his failure to identify the unmasked individual.
“The incident that led you to come before this court indeed made you terrified?” Lawyer Sanneh asked.
“Yes,” Hauya confirmed.
“Are you indeed terrified for your life?” the defence counsel continued.
“Yes,” Hauya reiterated.
“Since you’re terrified for your life, you should be able to identify the person who attacked you,” Sanneh pressed further.
“Yes, I wanted to recognize him, but I was so terrified that I couldn’t,” Hauya replied.
Sanneh concluded, “My lord, that has done good for us, and I have no further questions.”
The case was adjourned to tomorrow for continued cross-examination by Lawyer Lamin J. Darboe, who represents the first accused, Abdoulie Jallow.
