Fatou Joto- Mendy, an independent witness has told the Special Criminal Court presided over by Justice Joseph E. Ikpala that she never knew if there was bad blood between the ex-IGP, Ensa Badjie and Police Commissioner Landing Bojang of the Kanifing Police Station.

Fatou Jato- Mendy said this on Friday, 23rd of July 2010 before the Special Criminal Court in Banjul while responding to questions put to her by defence counsel Borry Touray, after giving evidence in the criminal trial involving the state against the former Inspector General of Police, Ensa Badjie and Ali Ceesay in the robbery case.

The witness told the court that her husband, Omar Touray is presently ill and that she was once married to one Pa Trawally, a resident of Sukuta in the Western Region. Her first husband, Pa Trawally, she informed, works with NAWEC and that apart from Pa Trawally and Omar Touray, she has never got married to any other man.She said one Yusupha Baldeh and her husband were imprisoned for two years for stealing packets of cigarettes.

Encounter with PW1, Soriba Condeh and Landing Bojang

The witness explained that whilst she was at the Serrekunda Police Station with her husband, she received a phone call from PW1, Soriba Condeh, and that as soon as Landing Bojang knew that the call was from PW1, he (Landing Bojang) asked her to increase the volume of his mobile phone so that it would be more audible.

Fatou Joto-Mendy told the court that Soriba Condeh had told her that her husband, Omar Touray's arrest was his fault, because her husband had gone to see Landing Bojang at the police station.She informed the court that said she is a Gambian and hails from Banjul, because her father was born at Half Die in Banjul, but she is presently residing at Bokoteh.

She pointed out that her husband, Omar Touray is a Guinean national and has never been deported.She denied claims that the 1st accused, Ensa Badjie took her husband to Jiboroh Immigration Post where her husband was deported.She pointed out that she has no grudge whatsoever against Ensa Badjie, noting that she has never had any problem with him.

The witness maintained that apart from members of her family, it was only Soriba Condeh she has secured bail for in the police station and that she never knew that the offence PW1 committed in connection with the motor bike affair was not a bailable offence.She said at Bakoteh Police Station, when she was informed about Soriba Condeh's arrest, she was at first not allowed to bail him because the police officer in charge told her that she was a woman, but after the said police officer consulted Ensa Badjie, she was allowed to bail him (PW1, Soriba Condeh).

With regard to the money bag, Fatou Joto- Mendy told the court that she was entrusted with the polythene bag containing money by PW1, Soriba Condeh meant for Ensa Badjie in 2007, but she could not remember the month and date. She however confirmed that it was PW1 who came for the polythene bag in her house in Bakoteh.The independent witness however denied claims by the defence that she is part of the conspiracy to revenge and put Ensa Badjie in trouble,emphasising that she has always had good and cordial relations with Ensa Badjie.

She went on to say that when her husband was detained at the Serrekunda Police Station, her mission there was not to negotiate for his bail, because she knew that her husband was not involved in the alleged crime he was accused of committing. She denied that the 1st accused pushed her out of the station, when she went there to negotiate for her husband's bail.

The witness maintained that she was never at any time invited to the police headquarters by Benedict Jammeh in 2007, but she was called by the NIA that year where her statement was recorded."I put it to you that in 2007 you were invited for confrontation at the police headquarters on allegation against the 1st accused, Ensa Badjie, but you refused to go," Borry Touray told the witness, who responded that it was never true that she was invited to the police headquarters in 2007. "If I were called, I would have gone," she added.

When confronted by the defence counsel, Borry Touray, that Amadou Jallow had told the court that Landing Bojang and herself (Fatou Joto Mendy) were having an amorous relationship, the witness denied the claims and pointed out that she had only seen Landing Bojang once at the Serrekunda Police Station.

The witness said that she did not know whether there was bad blood between Ensa Badjie and Landing Bojang, the police commissioner in the Kanifing Division."I have never had any time to meet or discuss with Landing Bojang against the 1st accused, Ensa Badjie and I was never aware that the said Landing Bojang was once sacked from the Police," she said and concluded her testimony in a cross-examination.Hearing continues today, Monday, 26th of July 2010.