By Landing Ceesay
In the West Field Forex Bureau murder trial involving Arona Tine, the prosecution has tendered a cash amount of Fifty Thousand Dalasis (D50,000.00) belonging to Pateh Jaw.
Arona Tine is currently on trial for a charge of murder, contrary to Section 187 of The Criminal Code. The prosecution alleges that on January 19, 2024, in Westfield, located in The Gambia’s Kanifing Municipality, Arona Tine intentionally stabbed Fatoumatta Kargbo with a knife, resulting in her death.
Sergeant Alieu Jallow, a CID Officer at the Serekunda Police Station, testified as the sixth prosecution witness (PW6). He has been serving in the force for 13 years. As a CID Officer, Sergeant Jallow’s responsibility is to investigate cases that require investigation.
When asked if he recognized the accused, Sergeant Jallow confirmed that he did and proceeded to explain how he recognized him.
“On the 19th of January 2024 on a Friday, I passed through Westfield going to the Station. I saw a large crowd at Westfield, but I didn’t go there, instead I went straight to the station. On my arrival at the Police Station, I found my Officer in charge there and the officers on duty. They informed me that there was a murder incident at Westfield. They said a guy reportedly stabbed a lady in the bureau. At the time there was no CID Officer at the scene, I informed the CID Officer, and he came, then we went to the scene.
“On our arrival at the scene, we found that PIU Officers had already preserved the crime scene and the door of the bureau was locked, and the alleged knife was recovered by them. I asked them to open the door so that I could go inside and see. They asked for my ID and I told them I am Sergeant Jallow and that Westfield is under my jurisdiction. They asked me for a moment to consult their Commanding Officer. That was when BSC Lamin B. Sarr who ordered them not to allow anyone to enter,” Sergeant Jallow told the court.Sergeant Jallow continued that Lamin Sarr later arrived, and they entered the bureau with the owner. Inside, they saw bloodstains everywhere, including the toilet. They discovered a bag and a broken mobile phone inside.
“We found another bag behind the counter on the safe. Inside the bag there was money all in 200 notes and three mobile phones in the bag and a staff ID,” Sergeant Jallow testified.
The first bag they found was a brown side bag containing 2 spanners and a face mask, but no money. The money in the second bag was confirmed to be D50,000.00. This money was handed over to Sergeant Jallow for identification, and he confirmed it as the money recovered from the bureau.
The prosecution then applied to tender it into evidence, and with no objection from the defense, Hon. Justice Ebrima Jaiteh admitted the D50,000.00 into evidence, marking it as Exhibit P1. State counsel A. Gibba then requested for the money to be returned to its owner, which the judge granted, giving custody of the money to Pateh Jaw.
The case was adjourned to July 8, 2024, for continuation.