BY Ali Jaw
Nominated National Assembly member, Ya Kumba Jaiteh, and her co-accused, Yusupha Jaiteh, who were accused of assaulting narcotic officers of the Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Monday re-appeared before Magistrate Isatou Janneh Njie of the Kanifing Magistrate’s Court for continuation of trial.
Giving his evidence, Ebrima Fadera, narcortic officer who was assaulted named names of officer included in the team on their regular patrol on the day of the incidence.
Answering the prosecutor’s question he said he knows the defendants and they first met at Kololi. He said they saw a man who was later identified as Tijan Macolley sitting on a motorbike. Upon introducing themselves as narcotic officers, he said they approached man who started running immediately but they pursued him and later caught.
He continued that during a push and pull between them they conducted a search on the man and suspected cannabis fell on the ground while a further search was conducted and another package of suspected cannabis were discovered from him.
Then he was arrested and cuffed for being in possession of suspected drugs. From their he shouted on top of his voice to the neighborhood for help and some people including Ya Kumba Jaiteh, the co-accused started rushing towards them and intervened between the officers and the suspect. Therefore push and pull broke between them (Ya Kumba and narcotic officers).
The prosecutor asked him what he meant by pushing and pulling he explained that “they came between us and the suspect, so that we would not arrest the suspect.”
He continued that when the neighbours arrive they what has happened and he said they (narcotic officers) told them what happened and that they are narcotic officers.
The witness said “Ya Kumba holds me at my back and at my neck, and I sustained injuries.”
He was asked by the prosecutor that how did he able to do that. Then he said ‘she scolded me.’
“What did she use?” Prosecutor asked and he answered that “her hand!”
He was further asked where was the suspect was at the time, he answered that they were still holding the suspect, while he was shouting to his colleagues who were in the other side for help, they later arrived at the scene to assist him.
He added that as that time Yusupha Jaiteh was also present and involved
The witness went on to that, when he and his fellow officers wanted to board the suspect into the vehicle, Ya Kumba and her followers were dragging the suspect away in an attempt to ensure that, the suspect never board the vehicle, but finally they succeeded in boarding the suspect on to the vehicle.
But the witness said he could not recognize others but he can recognize Ya Kumba Jaiteh and Yusupha Jaiteh.
According to the witness`s narration, from the incident, they went back to the Police Station, where he was escorted to the Serrekunda General Hospital, treated, and given some medicine.
Further answering questions from the prosecutor, he said he said that he received a prescription form, which contains his name, address, age etc. the prescription form was shown to him and he confirmed it. He later went back to the hospital on 21st of this month, and he was issued a medical certificate and a receipt of D500. These materials were later shown to him and he confirmed them.
The witness also answered few questions from the Counsel Camara the defendant lawyer while the case was adjourned to 9th November 2020. ASP Jahateh, the prosecutor represents the IGP.
