One Mustapha Demba, a wood carver and a resident of Dippa Kunda, on Tuesday served as the first prosecution witness in a drug case involving the state against Essa Maiga, before the Kanifing Magistrates' Court, presided over by Magistrate Sheriff Tabally.

In his evidence, the witness told the court that he is a wood carver residing in Dippa Kunda, and that he recognised the accused. On the 1st April while he was at home with friends, the witness narrated, the accused came to him with a black bag telling him that he (accused) was directed to him to do a business transaction with him.

Suddenly after the accused person's introduction, the witness said a police officer arrived at the scene and got hold of them. He added that the officer later opened the black bag in his presence and found out that it was containing a big parcel of suspected cannabis wrapped in a cement paper."Both of us were handcuffed and the arresting officer later made an enquiry as to who owned the said substance, which the accused confessed ownership," he explained.

The witness further told the court that after the accused confessed, he (the witness) was released and the arresting officer later left with the accused. The witness denied knowing the officer before the incident as enquired from him by the prosecutor. He said that he knew the office as Ebou Lowe on the day of the incident. The saidblack bag with the suspected cannabis was later tendered and admitted as exhibit in court.

Under cross-examination, the accused denied knowing the witness, saying he (accused) was arrested in his home. He further put it to the witness that he (witness) knows nothing about his case.

The case was then adjourned to September 11, 2012 for hearing.