By: Cecilia E.L. Mendy
The Banjul High Court on Monday heard testimony from a police officer in the ongoing murder trial of Arona Tine who was accused of fatally stabbing a Bureau de Change employee in January 2024.
Officer Momodou Lamin Sanneh, a nine-year veteran of the Gambia Police Force, testified before Justice Ebrima Jaiteh. State Counsel F. Drammeh appeared for the prosecution, while Samuel Ade represented the accused.
Tine is charged with murder, contrary to Section 187 and punishable under Section 188 of the Criminal Code. The prosecution alleges that on 19 January 2024 at HM Bureau Exchange in Westfield, Kanifing Municipality, the accused caused the death of Fatoumata Kagbo, a staff member, by stabbing her in the chest with a knife.
In his testimony, Officer Sanneh said he recognized the accused and narrated the events of Friday, 19 January 2024, at about 1300 hours during Juma prayers.
He told the court that he was part of a standby police team that responded to an emergency call and proceeded to the bureau.
Upon arrival, the officers found the accused lying unconscious inside the bureau, dressed in an orange shirt and blue jeans. He was alone at the time, the witness said.
According to Officer Sanneh, the police transported the accused to Kanifing General Hospital, then to Ndemban Clinic, and later to the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital (EFSTH), where he received medical attention in the presence of police officers.
He added that Lamin B. Sarr led the police response team.
The witness clarified that he did not take part in the investigation, as he was at the time attached to the Police Intervention Unit.
He further stated that he did not speak with staff from neighbouring bureaus and did not see the deceased, who had already been taken to hospital before the police arrived.
Justice Jaiteh adjourned the case to 24 February 2026 for continuation of hearing.