Abdelkarim Jaiteh
Attorney representing the troubled former junta member and one-time minister yesterday finally presents the defence first witness in the ongoing alleged murder trial involving Yankuba Touray who is being tried on murder charge for his alleged participation in the murder of the late junta finance minister, Ousman ‘Koro’ Ceesay who mysteriously died in June 1995.
The defence came following the dismissal of a no-case submission last week by the trial judge and ordered for the defence to open their case since the prosecution has presented overwhelming evidence that warranted the suspect, Yankuba Touray to open his defence and explain the side of his story.
Testifying before the court, Awa Minteh the defence first witness told the court she is currently residing in Pirang, Kombo East and she knows the suspect whom she said was brought up by his father, Alagie Tumani Minteh and they used to live in the same compound in Banjul with Mr Touray when he got married to his sister, Mamie Minteh in 1991.
The witness further testified that after July 1994, she continued to live with the suspect and his wife in Banjul before they relocated to Cape Point in the same year with the family.
Mrs Minteh also told the court that in June 1995, the suspect moved to Kerr Sering with his family which includes his wife, Mamie Minteh, Fatoumatta Touray, Mariama Minteh, Bakary Touray and other relatives of the suspect.
Madam Minteh also told the court that they also had security guards and two drivers who were living with them.
She clarified that Lamin Ndure was the driver for the suspect while Pa Colley was the driver for the suspect’s wife, Mamie Minteh, adding that at the time they had only two cars at their home.
When asked whether she knows Edward Singhatey, a former Junta member, she replied in the positive, saying Edward Singhatey never visited their home both at Cape Point and Kerr Serigne.
The witness further adduced that none of the family living at the time have ever visited Edward Singhatey during their stay at Cape Point and Kerr Serigne.
“We were never driven by any of the drivers in 1995 to Edward’s house at Cape Point for a party. Whenever we wanted to go for a party in 1995, Pa Colley would drive us or my sister, Mamie Minteh,” Madam Minteh explained.
Despite his detention since his arrest and prosecution in June last year, Mr Touray still maintains his innocence. However, if found guilty he will be sentenced to death or life imprisonment.
The case at this point was adjourned to Wednesday for continuation of defence.