Prosecutor ASP Banjang on 17th February called on his first prosecution witness (PW1) to testify in the ongoing criminal case involving one Tijan Hamson a Nigerian national who is charged with being in possession of fake bank notes contrary to section 334 of the criminal code cap 10 Vol III laws of The Gambia 1990.

In his testimony before acting principal Magistrate Sainabou Wadda-Ceesay, Foday Keita, a Police Detective adduced that he is a police officer attached to Serrekunda police station and that he recognised the accused Tijan Hamson. He recalled on that fateful day when he met the accused at Saffideen, Serrekunda.

Testifying further, he adduced that both voluntary and cautionary statements were taken from the accused person in the presence of an independent witness, adding that after both statements were taken it was read to the accused in the language he claimed to understand and he thumb-printed both statements.

The accused person, Tijan Hamson, objected to both statements, saying that he did not write the statements.

Magistrate Wadda-Ceesay overruled his objection and subsequently admitted them as exhibits respectively.

It could be recalled that Tijan was on or about 27th day of August 2008 at Serrekunda Saffideen, was found in possession of 300 fake Euro notes which he knew were fake.

Hearing continues on the 25th February 2009.