By Baba Sillah
Malick Mba’i, counsel for Bala Jassey a telecom expert and proprietor of Mobicell Company, yesterday told the Janneh Commission that his client was “a victim of hate and narration.”
Lawyer Mba’i began his address by referring the commission to a summon of notice dated 31 January 2018 and submitted that his client was not involved in the gateway management rather he testified in relation to Mobicell Company.
Lawyer Mba’i further submitted that it was not proven that Mr Jassey was a close associate of the former president and there was no evidence indicating that Mobicell was responsible for the management of the gateway.
He challenged that the commission should verify the evidence in relation to Mobicell, MGI and the international gateway before coming to a conclusion, arguing that in determining the evidence, the commission should find out whether it is relevant and consistent.
Counsel Mba’i at that point referred the commission to the evidence of Mr Kebbeh whom he said did not give any substantial evidence before the commission, charging that his evidence was fabricated and not substantiated. He also referred the enquiry to the evidence of Mr Mendy of Gamtel, and submitted that that evidence was credible.
According to Counsel Mba’i, the evidence presented before the commission cannot justify the interim order on the freezing of his client’s assets.
He adduced that the evidence before the commission indicated that Mobicell and MGI were just giving technical support, and his client also issued invoices concerning payments before the commission.
Mba’i further contended that it was not substantiated that Mobicell and MGI were paid a sum of money as stated before the commission, noting that Mr Kebbeh could not confirm that D28million was more than what was paid to the said companies.
The lawyer also stated that Sarjo Khan said in his evidence that Gamtel lacked the training to deploy the CISCO unified telecommunication system, adding that it was not proven that Gamtel had the capacity to deploy the said system.
He further disclosed that Gamtel entered into a contract with Mobicell for the installation of a telecommunication system at the National Assembly, and that Mobicell did the contract satisfactorily.
Counsel Mba’i submitted that it was normal to give donation to the former First Lady’s foundation, and there was nothing wrong with Bala Jassey giving donation to the foundation, adding that Mr Jassey had no financial dealings with the former president.
He finally submitted that there was no preponderance evidence before the commission to prove that Mr Jassey was a close financial associate of Jammeh but rather his client has found himself a “victim of hatred and narration.”
At that juncture, Counsel Bensouda told the commission that she would like to reply to address made by Counsel Mba’i. Then Chairman Sourahata Janneh told her that notices would be issued for her to reply.
Edrissa Mass Jobe, an engineer, was also summoned in connection to the Gam Petroleum storage facility at Mandinary. He confirmed that he became involved in the company and that he was the director at the storage.
Sittings continue today.
