By Abdel Karim Jaiteh
From the Truth Commission to the high court, serial killer, Alagie Kanyi is the state’s star witness to testify in the alleged murder trial involving Yankuba Touray a former AFPRC junta member and one-time minister who is standing trial before Justice Ebrima Jaiteh of the high court in Banjul for his alleged participation in the murder of Ousman ‘Koro’ Ceesay former junta finance minister.
In his testimony, Mr Kanyi told the court that he saw the suspect; Yankuba Touray received a stick from Edward Singhatey and hit Koro Ceesay.
Mr Kanyi who has earlier confessed to the killing of 9 of his colleagues during November 11 incident when he appeared before the truth commission recalling seeing Edward and Peter Singhatey entered the house, just for some time, he heard a noise from the back which surprised him.
“I turned and saw Peter Singhatey closing the gate and smashed Koro Ceesay, Edward also smashed Koro Ceesay with a stick he received from Peter. I turned and saw PK Gomez, Tumbul Tamba and Pa Alieu Ngum hit Koro Ceesay. Yankuba Touray collected a stick from Edward Singhatey and hit Koro Ceesay. All of us hit Koro Ceesay and this resulted to his death, Mr Kanyi told the court on top of his voice.
Mr Kanyi who has shown remorse during his appearance before the truth commission further told the high court that the following day, they heard the rumour that a minister’s car was somersaulted around Jabang’s end and it got burnt.
According to the witness, Peter’s hand was burnt and it was covered by his uniform sleeve and anytime his uniform sleeve was drawn up, one would see the burnt hand.
Testifying further, Kanyi adduced that the burnt hand was kept a secret among them, revealing that they were briefed by Edward Singhatey that they were going to get rid of Koro Ceesay in Yankuba’s house, but the suspect, Yankuba Touray was not present.
Kanyi further testified that the suspect was in his house by the time they arrived at his house, noting that as he was standing at the gate, he saw them returning from the airport. Then Peter entered and followed by Edward.
Serial killer Kanyi further revealed that then later Koro Ceesay arrived and saw him alighted from his car and was informed by Edward that the car belongs to Koro Ceesay.
Meanwhile under cross-examined by the attorney for the suspect, Abdoulie Sissoko, Kanyi confirmed making statement at Kairaba Police station with regards to the case.
He also confirmed his appearance as a witness before Justice Amina Saho-Ceesay in which the suspect was involved in a case.
Mr Kanyi further testified that today was his first day to testify in court against the suspect with regard to the murder of Koro Ceesay.
The case at that point was adjourned to February 24 for continuation cross-examination.
