Civil servant testifies in criminal trial

Seedy K Touray,  a civil servant  yesterday testified in the ongoing criminal trial involving an employee of the Gambia Ports Authority (GPA) - Solomon Jones - who is accused of obtaining D32,000 by false pretext. The case is being tried at the Kanifing Magistrates Court.

Testifying before Senior Magistrate Abdoulie Mbackeh, Seedy K Touray said he is a civil servant and a resident of Janjangbureh (CRR).  He also said that he came to know the accused in Bakau New Town.
 
According to him, his wife was sold a vehicle that he (Seedy) wanted to change from a petrol engine to a diesel engine. He said the accused was given the contract to make the switch.  

He further added that after selling the said vehicle, the accused (Solomon) brought him a Sarahule man who wanted to sell his vehicle to him but he turned down the offer.  He went on to tell the court that it was then that the accused  informed him that he was a clearing and forwarding agent at the Gambia Ports Authority (GPA) and that there are vehicles for sale at the sea port.

According to him, it was then that the accused told him that he could purchase a vehicle for him at his work place provided that he (Seedy) made the payment to him.  He said he made an advance payment of D22,200 on February 5. According to him, this was followed two instalments of D3,400 and D6,000.

He went on to state that the accused afterwards came back to him to inform him that he had already bought the vehicle and that he needed another D400 to get a number plate for the vehicle.  He noted that one night in Bakau, the accused came with a taxi and took all his belongings and left for his new residence in Dippa Kunda.  

At that juncture, the police prosecutor, Sergeant 870 Touray then showed him receipts that were said to be of payments made by him to the defendant, Solomon.  He confirmed the said receipts which were then tendered in court as exhibits. The case continues on 18 December.