The ninth prosecution witness (PW9), Dodou Janneh, a former manager of City Pub Bar and Restaurant, now a convicted prisoner, commenced his testimony in the robbery trial of the ex-IGP, Ensa Badjie and Ali Ceesay, before Justice Joseph E Ikpala of the Special Criminal Court in Banjul yesterday, 29th of July 2010.

Dodou Janneh, who looked frail, was unable to complete his evidence-in-chief before the court as he said he was feeling dizzy. The case was subsequently adjourned to today for continuation of his testimony.Meanwhile, in his evidence before the court, the ninth prosecution witness stated that he knows Yaya Baba Khan alias Tony, the proprietor of City Pub and that he once worked at the place as a manager.

The witness revealed that he came to know PW1, Soriba Condeh alias Ramsis when he was introduced to him by the first accused, Ensa Badjie, whilst he was the manager of City Pub.The witness further revealed that the first accused, Ensa Badjie used to frequent City Pub as he (Ensa Badjie) had a girlfriend there.Dodou Janneh told the court that initially, he never knew who the first accused was when he was coming to the Pub, but he later came to know that he was the Police Divisional Commander of Kanifing Municipality.

The witness recalled that sometime between the year 2005 and 2007, Ensa Badjie took him to Serrekunda Police Station to serve as a voluntary police officer as there were rampant armed robberies in the municipality. "One day I went to City Pub on a mission and whilst there I saw an unknown person driving a red coloured mercedes benz 190 car and when the person came and parked the car I observed that he was stinking with alcohol as he was deadly drunk," Dodou Janneh said, and further explained further that as he approached the person in order to arrest him because he was driving whilst drunk, he resisted arrest and an argument ensured between them.

The witness said the man whom he later identified to be PW1, Soriba Condeh, took out his cellphone and called the first accused, Ensa Badjie.The witness revealed that after their conversation, Tony (PW3) came out from the bar and asked him if he didn't know that the person he was arguing with was a friend of the first accused, Ensa Badjie. The witness said he replied that even if the man was a friend of Ensa Badjjie he should not drive while drunk, but he however released the man.

The witness said he never knew that Ensa Badjie was inside the bar, until when he [Ensa Badjie] called him and instructed him to meet him at his office at about 16:00 hours the following day.The witness told the court that the following day, he went to Ensa Badjie's office to see him but upon his arrival at the station, he met the office door locked, but he however called him, and when he received the call, he (Ensa Badjie) enquired if he was with any person, and he replied in the negative.

He said Ensa Badjie then opened his office door and beckoned him to get in; he got in and found him counting some money. The witness told the court that the first accused asked him to help him count the money.The witness disclosed that the money amounted to D300,000, and added that it was placed inside a black polythene bag.He said after they finished counting the money, Ensa Badjie asked him if he has ever complained that his vehicle has been stolen and he replied in the negative. He said the first accused then asked him why he wanted to arrest someone he saw with his [Ensa Badjie's] vehicle.

Pa Dodou said he replied that he tried to arrest the man because he was driving while drunk, which is an offence. The witness disclosed that it was then Ensa Badjie told him that the person he wanted to arrest was PW1, Soriba Condeh.The witness said he told the first accused that he was surprised seeing PW1 Soriba Condeh driving his car, as he has never seen any other person driving the car apart from his wife.

Continuing his testimony, the witness said he asked the first accused, Ensa Badjie what he is supposed to tell him if his vehicle gets stolen and if he [witness] sees an unknown person driving the vehicle. Pa Dodou narrated that it was then that Ensa Badjie told him that on the particular night when he wanted to arrest Soriba Condeh, he (Essa Badjie) was inside the small inner room at the bar. He added that Ensa Badjie also informed him that Soriba Condeh was his very good friend.The witness said the first accused, Ensa Badjie then warned him to keep his mouth shut and never inform anybody that he found him in his office counting money."I then took permission to fall out (leave) of his office and I was granted permission to do so," the witness said.

On night patrol to trace armed robbers
The witness disclosed that he used to go on night patrol to trace armed robbers and that whenever they meet up with PW1, Soriba Condeh, he usually gives him money to buy cigarettes. The witness further disclosed that during an investigation into some robbery and shop breaking incidents in Kanifing Municipality, an informant indicated to him that PW1, Soriba Condeh was in town; He added that other informants as well also intimated him that the burglaries around the area were being committed by PW1, Soriba Condeh.

The witness said one day he met and informed Ensa Badjie that PW1, Soriba Condeh was in town and that there had been a series of burglary incidents, but the first accused, Ensa Badjie dismissed him with ignominy."If Ramsis is in town I will know, because Ramsis has been out of town for 15 years" the witness said, quoting the first accused.  He said he however, informed Ensa Badjie that his informants had confirmed that Ramsis was in town and that he was responsible for most of the burglaries.

The witness told the court that he always informed the first accused, Ensa Badjie whenever they go and return from night patrols.
The witness further revealed that he observed that whenever the first accused, Essa Badjie asked him whether they are back from patrol, when he replied in the affirmative, the areas they patrol was always hit by armed robbers. The witness said an informant later told him that whenever they are on patrol, the person that always buy him something and gives him money was called Ramsis, Soriba Condeh.

The witness told the court that he was informed that Ramsis was the criminal name for Soriba Condeh (PW1) . He said when he got that information, he called Ensa Badjie and requested to speak to him about their investigation and he promised to meet him at the Police Station, but at about 8:00pm, the first accused asked him to meet him at the City Pub. The witness said that when they finally met at the City Pub, he told Ensa Badjie about the information he got that Soriba Condeh he introduced to him is also called Ramsis.

At this point, the witness, Dodou Janneh complained that he was feeling dizzy and the prosecution, led by DDPP, Mikailu Abdulahi applied for the case to be adjourned to today for continuation of the testimony.The application was granted without objection from the defence counsel, Borry Touray.Hearing continues today, Friday, 30th of July 2010.