By: Dawda .M. Jallow
An Oryx Petrol Station attendant, Essa Bayo, has testified in the trial of Alieu Manneh, who stands accused of stealing electrical materials.
Testifying before Magistrate Awa Manneh at the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court, Mr. Bayo stated that he was at the Manjai Oryx Petrol Station with his colleague, Bubacarr, when they saw the accused emerge from between two fences after allegedly scaling one.
He explained that while they were questioning the accused about his actions, a man arrived and claimed that Manneh was a thief. Bayo said they then escorted the accused to the Manjai Police Station.
“When a search was conducted, some electrical materials were found on him,” Bayo alleged.
Prosecution Officer Inspector A. Bojang asked the witness if he would be able to recognize the materials if shown, to which he replied in the affirmative.
During cross-examination, the accused asked Bayo, “When you were apprehending me, did you find anything with me?” Bayo responded, “Yes, you had a plastic bag containing electrical materials.” The accused further asked, “Where did you see me when you were apprehending me?” The witness answered, “I saw you on top of a fence trying to get into the compound.”
The accused also asked, “The man who came and said I was a thief what was in his hand?” Bayo responded that he did not notice anything in the man’s hand.
Meanwhile, Alieu Manneh is charged with stealing, contrary to Section 252 of the Criminal Code Cap 10.01 Volume III, Revised Laws of The Gambia 2009.
Prosecutors allege that on 20 March 2025, at Manjai Kunda, Manneh stole a microwave, electric iron, rice cooker, and stabilizer, all of unknown value, belonging to one Alieu Sowe.
