Karamo Bojang, Alkalo of Tujereng Village, Kombo South, who doubles as the Principal of Nusrat Senior Secondary School, last Monday, September 24, 2007, testified in the ongoing land dispute between Basiru Jammeh and Musa Joof. Appearing before Principal Magistrate Moses Richards of the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court, Mr Bojang, said sometime in 2005, the plaintiff, Musa Joof, lodged a complaint with him about Basiru Jammeh, who had trespassed him on his land, stating that he would take him to court, if this situation persist.

According to Mr Bojang, he advised the plaintiff not to sue the defendant, but rather settle the matter at the village level, through the committee of elders.

“Through the mediation committee, the Njie Kunda family gave an empty plot of land to Basiru Jammeh for him to occupy in an effort to resolve the matter as the plaintiff, Musa Joof, had leased documents for the disputed land.  However, the defendant, Basiru Jammeh gave very stiff conditions to be met before he vacates the land, which made it almost impossible for the parties to reach a compromise,” he said.

Earlier on, Cherno Njie, son of Seedy Njie, the purported guardian of Basiru Jammeh, informed the court that his father has given the land in question to the defendant, only for agricultural purpose, adding that he was not supposed to erect a structure or plant any trees there.

According to Mr Njie, his father’s gesture was in line with the tradition of giving land or space to a stranger or visitor, either for agricultural or residential purposes.

He added that prior to the purchase of the said land by Mr Gibril Kaira, sometime in 1991, the defendant, Basiru Jammeh, was informed about it, as well as some members of the village.

Mr Njie pointed out that the defendant, Basiru Jammeh gave an excuse that he wants to farm the land for that particular year, but thereafter insisted on using the land.