By Yankuba Jallow
The criminal trial involving Mrs. Tina Faal, a former nominated National Assembly Member (NAM), proceeded at the Banjul 
Magistrates’ Court yesterday, 26 October 2016, with a prosecution witness giving testimony before Magistrate Kebba Baldeh.
The trial of Madam Faal, who is facing three counts of conspiracy, obtaining goods by false pretense and theft, failed to proceed on the two previous adjourned dates of 3rd and 13th October 2016.
When the case was called, Inspector S. Sanyang and S.I Bojang announced their appearance for the Inspector General of Police whilst Lawyers Antouman A.B. Gaye and Combeh Gaye appeared for the accused person.
It was the third prosecution witness who was supposed to continue testifying.
The prosecution requested from the trial magistrate to allow PW1 to testify in the case and which was granted.
PW1 identified himself as Alieu Ceesay who works with Sheriff’s Division of the Banjul high court as a senior bailiff and has been working there for 12 years now.
When the witness was asked by the prosecution to give at least two functions of a Sheriff, he responded that the Sheriff is responsible for executing court orders and selling properties.
PW1 was asked to explain what happened on the 3rd day of July 2000 and whether there was any sale of property but before he responded, defense counsel A. Gaye objected to the question, arguing that PW1 has told the court that he has been working for 12 years and that the year 2000 was before he started working there. He said the witness cannot respond to that question.
The prosecutor, however, argued that the defence cannot rely on that argument since there are changes made in offices but that the records always remain.
The magistrate asked the prosecution to reframe the question.
Inspector Sanyang asked the witness whether he knows the company by the name O’coperation. Mr. Ceesay responded in the positive, adding that his office has things in relation to the said company.
He further told the court that an auction was conducted but that when a property is attached, a document is prepared after the due date to sell it.
‘’You said O’coperation were the highest bidders and what did they bid for?” asked Inspector Sanyang. He replied that they had a bid for the sale of an aircraft.
At this stage, Inspector Sanyang applied for an adjournment as he has a class to attend. When there was no objection to the application by the defence, the trial magistrate adjourned the case to the 8 November at 12:00 noon for the continuation of testimony by PW3.
