By Cecilia E.L. Mendy
An accused person, Samba Sey, on Tuesday denied any involvement in the alleged killing of Omar Touray, as he testified before the Banjul High Court presided over by Justice Ebrima Jaiteh.
The State was represented by Counsel F. Drammeh, while defence Counsel Njoku appeared for the accused.
According to the charge, Sey is alleged to have, on 1 July 2020 between 19:00 and 20:00 in Sukuta, around Jarju Kunda in the West Coast Region, caused the death of Omar Touray by stabbing him in the neck with malice aforethought.
Testifying in his defence, Sey told the court that he was at work in Sanchaba on the day of the incident and remained there until about 19:00.
He stated that after closing, he spent time behind the garage with a friend, Alagie Manneh, as part of his usual routine, before later deciding to go home.
Sey told the court that upon arrival at his residence, he ate dinner in the kitchen and lay down, although he did not sleep. He said police officers later arrived at his home and arrested him in the presence of his family after identifying themselves.
He said he was taken to Sukuta Police Station and placed in custody, where he was questioned about an alleged fight with the deceased, which he denied, insisting he had no dispute with Omar Touray.
The accused further told the court that he was informed that a person identified as “Boye” had alleged he had issues with the deceased.
He stated that he was asked to write a statement but refused, saying he did not understand the allegations against him. Sey maintained in court that he did not kill the deceased.
During cross-examination, Sey said he remembered the date of the incident and identified one of the arresting officers, Jawo, whom he said he knew from a previous robbery report.
He added that about five officers took part in his arrest, most of whom were wearing masks.
Sey also told the court that he was about 17 years old at the time of his arrest and had been working as a mechanic.
He alleged that he was forced to thumbprint police statements, insisting that the contents were not his own.
The case was adjourned to 21 April 2026 for continuation.
