By Abdelkarim Jaiteh
The state witness in the protracted murder trial involving the former AFPRC junta member and one-time minister, Ensa Mendy has told the high court in Banjul that he did not see the late former AFPRC finance minister, Ousman “Koro” Ceesay at the residence of the suspect, Yankuba Touray or killed by the suspect.
Mr Mendy, a former orderly to the suspect confirmed making two statements in July this year which were subsequently applied by the defence as exhibits after they were identified by the witness and admitted by the court without objection raised by a team of state lawyers.
When asked by the defence to explain in defence exhibit one where he stated that he was an orderly to the suspect and not his bodyguard, in response the witness said he was briefed at the office of the late Basirou Barrow to serve as orderly and bodyguard to the suspect.
Mr Mendy added that he would not know exactly the date and day when he was called by the suspect to go for patrol but confirmed he was called by the suspect between 6to 7 Pm to leave State House and go for patrol.
In an attempt to discredit his evidence When further put to him by the counsel that he has stated in his statements that he was instructed by the suspect to leave state house between 9 to 10 PM and go for patrol, he replied in the negative despite the defence quoted from his statement.
The witness further testified that he was with the family of the suspect between 9 to 10 PM this time when the suspect calls him which includes the wife of the suspect, and his three children including the maid.
When further put to him by the defence that he indicated in his statement that in June 1995, the suspect had only one child call Fatoumatta Touray, he replied in the positive, noting that by the time he was making the statement, he already left the service and that was the reason he indicated in his statement that the suspect has children.
“I did not see the deceased at the suspect house neither the suspect speaks to the deceased or killed the deceased,” the witness, Mr Mendy told the trial judge.
The matter was adjourned at that point to tomorrow for continuation.
The suspect, Yankuba Touray is being tried on murder charge for his alleged involvement in the murder of the former junta finance minister, Ousman “Koro” Ceesay. Mr Touray however refused to give evidence when he appeared before the TRRC while claiming constitutional immunity and since then he has been detained at the State Central Prison in Mile2.