One Edward Babucarr Okoro, a 37-year-old Gambian has said that he has no authority to handle any drug case, but as a good citizen of this country has the right to stop people selling it near his fence.

Okoro said this yesterday while testifying under cross-examination in the ongoing illegal possession of firearms without valid license and authority at the Kanifing Magistrates Court. In his evidence-in-chief, Okoro told the court that one day in January, when he returned from his workplace, he found a boy, whom he alleged to have been engaged in selling cannabis, near his compound fence.  He told the court that he had previously warned the boy to desist from the practice. "I then decided to report the matter to the Drug Squad office and I confiscated the four bundles of cannabis from him," he said. He further testified that the boy's brother, who was said to be a soldier asked him to release the boy. "I refused and the said brother then telephoned one of his friends who claimed to be a Drug Squad officer," he said.

According to him, when the supposed Drug Squad officer arrived, he asked him to (the officer) show him his ID but the man replied that his card was not with him. "But as soon as they saw the Drug Squad pick-up coming towards us, they all ran away. I later handed the boy, together with the four confiscated bundles of cannabis to the Drug Squad personnel," he said.

Okoro further told court that he accompanied the accused and the officers to the Serrekunda Police Station and as he was coming back home around Africell, he received a phone call from one Lt Manneh that he wanted to see him. 'I told him that I was around the Africell headquarters. Eight military personnel appeared before me and then arrested me. A search was conducted on me and in my house," he said.

He further told the court that he was taken to the Yundum Military Barracks where he was locked up, adding that Lt Manneh later informed him that when military personnel searched his house, they  found a pistol there. He denied that the pistol belonged to him, reiterating the fact that his house was searched in his absence. "I also declined to record a statement at the military barracks and was detained for one week. I later spent two months in the Remand Wing of the State Central Prison," he added. According to charges, Okoro was sometime in January 2009 at Latri Kunda German, found with an 8mm pistol (MOD 5.A) Cal without valid license or authority. He has vehemently denied the charge.  He was cross-examined by Police Prosecutor Mballow after the end of his testimony. Hearing continues on May 28, 2009.