By Abdelkarim Jaiteh
Ensa Mendy, second prosecution witness in the murder trial involving the embattled former AFPRC junta member and one-time minister, Yankuba Touray, continued with his evidence this morning before Justice Ebrima Jaiteh at the high court in Banjul.
Continuing with his evidence before the trial judge, Justice Ebrima Jaiteh, the witness, Ensa Mendy recalled that when they returned from the beach patrol, they went back to the resident of the suspect.
Mendy further told the court that upon their returned to the suspect house as he entered the house, he stood for a while and saw that the house was wet with water as well as the sitting room.
“I also saw the uniform of the suspect placed on the ground with some part burnt, then I realised something has happened. I then went to bed and in the morning, I prepared and went to work with the suspect. At the office of the suspect then as the minister of Local Government and Lands, I heard the rumours that the minister of finance “Ousman” Koro Ceesay was killed at the resident of the suspect,” the witness told the court.
When asked by the state counsel, AM Yusuf whether it was part of his mandate as the bodyguard to the suspect to go for patrol, the witness, Mr Mendy replied in the negative and further explained that he was never assigned by the suspect on such assignment during his seven years as his bodyguard.
Under cross-examination when put to him by the attorney for the suspect, Abdoulie Sissoho that he was never appointed as a bodyguard to the suspect, Mr Mendy insisted that he was appointed and was given arm to protect the suspect and the same time his personal works, arguing that all these were explained to him when they went to the office of the late Basiru Barrow.
Yankuba Touray is standing trial on a murder charge for his alleged role in the murder of the late former junta finance minister, Ousman “Koro” Ceesay who died in June 1995. Scores of witnesses who have appeared before the TRRC have adversely mentioned Yankuba Touray and Edward Singhatey for being responsible for “Koro’s” death.
Mr Touray has being previously charged with a single charge of interfering with TRRC witness along with the former Speaker of the National Assembly, Fatoumatta Jahumpa-Ceesay, charge he denied before it was finally withdrawn by the state.
He was later charged with another single charge of contempt for his refusal to testify before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. However, this charge was dismissed by Justice Sainabou Wadda-Cisse due to lacked of judicial procedures.
Hearing resumes on 4th November, 2019 when the witness, Ensa Mendy is expected to be extensively cross-examined by the defense counsel.
