G4S officer testifies in court

James Mendy, an officer with the G4 Security Unit, formerly Wackenhut, on Tuesday testified in the robbery case involving one Mustapha Cham, before Senior Magistrate Abdoulie Mbackeh of the Kanifing Magistrates Court.

In his testimony before the court, Mr Mendy said he recognised the accused and could also recount what transpired on 19 July, 2008.

According to him, it was around 06:00 am on Saturday while he was on his way to work and upon arrival at Westfield junction, he saw the accused standing near a fence.
“As I passed by him, he [clasped my] back and took out a knife, threatening to stab me. He told me to give him any item I have with me or else he would stab me. I replied that I didn’t have anything with me. Then he told me to give him money or a mobile or he would kill me,” he told the court.

According to him, there was a scuffle which was diffused by a passing police officer.
He added that this was how the accused was arrested and then taken to the Police Intervention Unit (PIU) at Kanifing, before he was transferred to the Serrekunda Police Station.

Statements, according to him, were obtained from him and the accused, who was then detained.

The said knife was tendered in court and marked as an exhibit without any objection from the accused.
The case was adjourned to July 18, for the prosecutor to call in his last witness.