By Yankuba Jallow
Barristers Sheriff Tambadou, counsel for Sira Wally Ndow and Ebrima Sanneh counsel for Momodou OS Badgie on 23 November
2016, cross-examined the state witness, Alagie K Manneh a police detective attached at the Major Crime Unit, police Headquarters in Banjul after he wrapped up his evidence in the trial of the dismissed troubled former petroleum officials.
Mr Manneh in his evidence under cross-examination by lawyer Tambadou told the trial court that he is stationed at the Major Crime Unit at the police headquarters in Banjul as a detective sergeant. He recalled that he took part in the case during the investigation and his duty was to record from some of the accused persons and apart from recording the statements of the accused persons he did not play any role in the case.
Asked by lawyer Tambadou how many statements he recorded and from who and who among the accused persons he recorded the statements from and tell the court who were they. The witness who appeared in a black suit nodded his head and identified them as Momodou OS Badgie, Cherno Marena and Momodou Taal.
“Did you obtain cautionary statement from anyone who is not in the dock?” barrister Tambadou quizzed. “As far as I am concern, I only recorded four statements,” Mr Manneh responded.
The police detective however told the court that the statements were not recorded on the same date but was quick to say that he could access the said statements that were before the court.
The state witness added that he could not ascertain whether a statement was obtained from Edrisa Jobe in June when he was arrested along with the rest of the accused neither he knew how many statements were recorded from him.
The police detective however acknowledged he was sent to the NIA to obtain statement from Sirra Wally but insisted that he was not the right person to tell the court when and who recorded the voluntary statement of Sirra Wally.
Meanwhile under cross-examination by lawyer Ebrima Sanneh, the witness said he spends seven years at the Major Crime Unit and he knows the procedures they should follow during the recording of statements.
At that point the matter was adjourned to November 28 for continuation of cross-examination.
