By Kebba Jeffang
Buyeh Touray, Alkalo of Darsilameh Sangajor who is the 2nd accused
person in his trial with the Caliph General from the same village in
Foni Kansala, has opened his defence yesterday, 23 February, 2015.
When the case was called at the Brikama Magistrates’ Court before thePrincipal Magistrate, Omar Cham, Lawyer Antouman Gaye appeared for the
accused persons while Chief Inspector Camara represented the Inspector
General of Police (IGP).
Lawyer Gaye told the court that he would like to begin taking evidence
from the 2nd accused person due to his greater involvement in the
matter than the 1st accused person.
This was granted by the court after the prosecution made no objection.
While in the witness box, the accused person identified himself as
Buyeh Touray, the Alkalo of Darsilameh Sangajor in Foni Kansala
district, West Coast Region. He said farming is his occupation and
that he has been the Alkalo for about seven years after the death of
his father.
The 2nd accused person testified that he knows the 1st accused person
Muhideen Hydara, adding that he is the head of the village. He said he
is 50 years old and he has a family with one wife and 1 child.
“I understand the charges against me and I disagreed that I have
committed any wrong to the laws of the land. I understand the first
count being ‘Conspiracy to commit misdemeanor’ as well as the second
charge which is ‘Disobedience to a lawful order’. I disagreed that I
have committed anything wrong as I am charged. I have seen and heard
the prosecution witnesses’ testimonies and I disagree with their
evidences against the Sheriff and I. This includes the evidence of the
Chief of Kansala Momodou Lamin Jarju,” testified the 2nd accused
person.
Mr. Touray added that Chief sent his badge messenger to him and that
he said to him (Touray) that there should be no prayer on Tuesday as
the information came from the government. He said the messenger
further told him that the information has to reach the Imam of the
community. He said he went with the badge messenger (Seedy Gibba) to
the Imam.
“Upon arrival at Imam’s compound, I told the Imam that the badge
messenger was sent by the Chief who said there should be no prayer on
Tuesday. The messenger himself confirmed that, adding that the
information is passed from the government. He added that the
Chief said they heard that Sangajor didn’t observe prayer on Monday,
28th July, 2014 and that they should be prevented from observing it on
the following Tuesday, 29th July, 2014,” said Alkalo Buyeh Touray.
He explained that the Imam was the late Malign Hydara who passed away
the following month after the Ramadan. He said the badge messenger was
received on Monday night when many people have already gone to bed. He
said the Imam and the Caliph General are not in the same compound.
Asked by his counsel Gaye if he himself had performed prayers on
Tuesday, he responded in the positive.
At this juncture, the defence lawyer applied for adjournment for the
continuation of the testimony from the 2nd accused person. No
objection was made by the prosecution.
The matter was therefore subsequently adjourned to the 3rd and 4th
March, 2015 at 12pm respectively.]]>
