One Amadou Jallow, Amadou Bailo Jallow and Saikou Trawally were recently arraigned before Senior Magistrate Abdoulie Mbacke of the Kanifing Magistrates Court on two counts  conspiracy to commit felony and obtaining money by false pretence.

According to the particulars of the offense, the trio, sometime last year, in the Kanifing Municipality, jointly conspired and obtained the sum of of over one million and seven hundred thousand dalasis and CFA 55 million from one Kemo Dibassy and Lamin Jallow, knowing fully well that such representation was false. The trio pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them.

In his testimony, last Thursday, Kemo Dibassy, a native of Basse and one of the complainants, told the court that he recognised the three accused and could also recall that something transpired between him and the three accused sometime in 2007.

According to him, he was at his work place in Basse one day when Amadou Jallow (first accused) approached him, and asked him to borrow him the sum of CFA 2 million to collect some items in Dakar sent to him by his kids .

"I told him that I had no money with me at that moment. He came another day talking about the same issue and I responded that I had no money with me," he said.

According to him, he later contacted his friend in Dakar by the name of Lamin Jallow to give him CFA 2 million to be repaid upon the receipt of his items.

Mr Dibassy further revealed to the court that Mr Jallow (first accused) even promised to refund the money immediately after the receipt of his goods, but never did.

He maintained that he personally contacted the first accused to refund the money but he replied that he needed an extra amount of CFA 46 Million as he needed to purchase a chemical for the items.

"I told him that I don't have even CFA 2 Million much more CFA 46 Million. He explained to my friend Lamin Jallow in Dakar who then decided to give him the said money but I had to be present. He told us that his son sent him some dollars which he wanted to wash, so he needed to buy a chemical," he added.

Mr Dibassy added that the first accused then bought a chemical and placed it in his refrigerator to be kept there for 24 hours, but the bottle instead broke in less than three hours, and he later called to inform them about the incident.

The case continues on Januay 23. Sgt 870 Touray represented the IGP at the trial.