By Baba Sillah
The trial of the opposition GDC National Assembly Member for Niamina West, Demba Sowe, and four others proceeded yesterday before Justice Bakare of the High Court annex in Banjul with cross-examination of second prosecution witness, Beyaki Tunkara.
Mr Sowe is standing trial along with Oumie Saffiatou Jallow, Ebrima Kebbeh, Sheikh Dawda York, Alpha Kanteh and Kemo Fatty on the charges that they conspired among themselves to deceive Muhammed Tunkara, a Gambian based in the UK and his partner by collecting the sum of US$161,000 equivalent to D6,273, 000 on the pretext that they were going to sell him 50kg of gold valued at US$1.5 million, charges they deny.
Under cross-examination by lawyer Moses Richard, the witness said Demba Sowe paid US$7,000 to Oumie Saffiatou Jallow to transport gold from Guinea Conakry to The Gambia.
However, he clarified that neither Ebrima Kebbeh nor Mr Sowe were present during negotiation for the terms of the process, adding that it was Oumie Saffiatou Jallow who charged them US$30,000 [D1.5million] per kilo for the merchandise.
Mr Tunkara also confirmed that he negotiated the price of the gold with Oumie Saffiatou Jallow, the owner of the gold.
The case at that point was adjourned by the trial judge to 4 March 2019 for continuation.
