The trial involving Dudu Kassa Jaata and seven other accused persons continued yesterday at the Kanifing Magistrates Court presided by Senior Magistrate Mbacke.

Presenting their testimonies before a crowded courtroom were Binta Njai, PW6, and Kaddy Sidibeh, PW7, both from Bakau.

In her testimony, Binta Njai, a businesswoman, said that among the accused persons, she could only recognize Cherno Ndure Jarju.
She revealed that on 27th June, while sitting at Bantang Koto at Wasulung Kunda where voters card registration was taking place, she heard Cherno Ndure Jarju asking the registration officers who among them reported his uncle to the police and uttered abusive words while brandishing an iron bar.
She added that at a point he lifted the iron bar in an attempt to hit one Sirah Jammeh, a member of the registration team and an APRC agent.

Binta Njai further adduced that she was called by the then Station Officer of Bakau Police Station to give her account of the incident.

Also testifying was Kaddy Sidibeh, a member of the registration team. In her testimony she also indicated that the only person she recognized at the scene was Cherno Ndure Jarju, corroborating Binta Njai’s account of Jarju’s possession of an iron bar and hurling insults, though at no one in particular, except that he directed his anger at one Sirah Jammeh who only laughed.

She informed the court that she later called Cherno aside as a friend to her son and tried to calm him down.

It would be recalled that Dudu Kassa Jaata and other accused persons have been standing trial on three counts ranging from threatening violence, conduct tantamount to breach of peace, and obstructing a police officer in due execution of his duties.

Again the case had to be adjourned at the request of the prosecutor who promised to call more witnesses to prove their case against the accused persons.

The presiding Magistrate did not object to the application but advised the prosecutor to double up so that they could wrap up the case, especially having regard to the fact that some of the accused persons are of school-going age.

The case is expected to continue on the 19 of December 2006.