Lamin Star Badjie, a police inspector attached to Interpol, on Wednesday January 7, testified as a prosecution witness before the Kanifing Magistrates Court in the ongoing criminal case in which the operations manager of Kombo Beach Hotel, Marc Maurice Alfred Vanmaldegum is the accused person.

Testifying before Acting Principal Magistrate Sainabou Wadda-Ceesay, Lamin Star Badjie said they received information that the accused aided Charles Andrew Northfield to abscond. He added that during the investigations, he (Lamin) and his colleague went to Kombo Beach Hotel where they learned that the accused (Marc) had traveled outside the country.

According to him, on October 13, 2008, they got the information that the accused was back at work. He said they then visited the hotel again and invited Marc to the Kotu Police Station. He explained that Marc denied the allegation that he aided Northfield in his escape. According to him, accused explained that he met Charles two or three times when he (Charles) was staying in their hotel.

Inspector Badjie further explained to the court that the accused told the panel of investigators that Charles had told him that he was under trial and said Marc admitted speaking to Charles after he absconded. According to him after Marc had made a statement, he (the police officer) prepared his report concerning their findings before sending the file to the Attorney General's Chamber for legal advice.

The case continues on January 23, when the prosecution is expected to close its case.