GTTI student testifies in fraud matter

According to the particulars of offence, the incident happened in 2008 at New Jeshwang in the Kanifing municipality of The Gambia when the accused person fraudulently and unlawfully obtained money amounting to two million dalasis from one Bakary Singhateh and 34 other person with pretext that they are to attend scout jamboree, which he knew at the time of obtaining the money to be false.

In his testimony, the witness told the court that he was introduced to the accused person by his sister and he was told that the accused person could facilitate his proposed travel to the United States of America. He said he was convinced because the accused person had claimed that he had facilitated some people’s travel in the past.

He said he gave D90,000 to the accused person to help him (the accused person) in this respect.

He told the court that he was informed that the said money would be used to procure visas, scout uniform, air ticket and pocket money. He claimed that the accused person even gave him a receipt for the payment.

At this juncture, the prosecuting officer Inspector Touray applied to tender the receipt as exhibit in court without the objection of the defense counsel.

Still in his testimony, the witness told the court that the accused person informed him that he would travel to United States of America within three months to the time of effecting the payment, but this did not happen. He then told the court that the accused person has not returned his money still.

While under cross-examination by the defense counsel, Lawyer Edu Gomez, the witness agreed to it that he was not a member of the Scout Association, though he wanted to travel under the association’s cover. He said he agreed to it that his action amounted to impersonation.

The case continues.