The defence first witness in the alleged murder trial of the former junta member Yankunba Touray, Awa Minteh on Tuesday continues with her evidence under cross-examination by the state prosecutor upon completion of her evidence-in-chief last week.
The witness who is also a sister-in-law of the suspect spoke extensively on the background of the family and the relationship between the suspect and his household as well as the security guards posted at his resident as of 1995
Continuing with her evidence-in-chief under cross-examination for the second day upon completion of her testimony last week, defence witness Awa Minteh was extensively cross-examined by the state counsel, AM Yusuf when the case resumed before Justice Ebrima Jaiteh of the High Court in Banjul.
In her evidence-in-chief, Madame Minteh began her evidence by furnishing the court with the suspect’s family and the number of children he has as well as her own educational background.
She testified that she did her first degree at the University of The Gambia from 2007 to 2011 while she was working, noting that upon her return from the United Kingdom she lived with the suspect with the family.
She described the relationship between the suspect and his household as “cordial” saying he was like a father to the members of the family.
Madame Minteh further recalled that they had eight to nine months at Cape Point before they moved to Kerr Serign and was quick to tell the court that the suspect was a minister as of 1994 and was having guards during their stay at Cape Point and Kerr Serign.
According to the witness, the suspect had official cars and drivers who were Lamin Ndure and Pa Colley but she could not establish whether the drivers were staying with them at Cape Point before they relocated to Kerr Serign.
The 35-year-old Madame Minteh further clarified that she would not remember the last set of guards they had at their compound at Kerr Serign before they moved to Kotu in early 2000.
“I cannot remember the last guard commander or the first guard commander before we moved to Kotu,” Madame Minteh clarified.
When asked whether she knows one Edward Singhatey, she replied in the positive, adding that Edward was a former minister of defence.
The case at this point was adjourned to tomorrow for continuation of cross-examination.