By: Sainabou Sambou
Accused murderer Arona Tine vehemently denied killing Fatoumatta Kargbo during continued cross-examination in the High Court in Banjul on Tuesday, challenging the prosecution’s CCTV evidence and maintaining that unknown assailants attacked him inside the Westfield Bureau on 19 January 2024.
Tine, who is standing trial before Justice Ebrima Jaiteh, told the court he had no involvement in the death of Kargbo and insisted that a full version of the surveillance footage would support his account of events.
State Counsel A. Gibba pressed Tine on inconsistencies in his testimony. The counsel reminded the accused of his earlier statement that he did not know the bureau until the day of the incident. Tine responded that 19 January was indeed his first time entering the premises but clarified he had long known the owner as a friend who frequently invited him for ataya (traditional tea).
“I have known the bureau for a long time because we are friends,” Tine said. “The owner is here in court and he can testify whether I am a bad person.” He admitted travelling with the bureau owner to Senegal for a Gamou religious event.
Despite earlier claims, Tine conceded he was inside the bureau on the day of the killing and confirmed the presence of the men he had previously described. He told the court he recognized their faces, though he did not know their names, and noted that one had a prominent mark on his head. Tine said he was struck on the head by the group, rendering him nearly unconscious, and insisted he had attempted to explain this during voir dire proceedings but was prevented from including it in his police statement.
The court then viewed CCTV footage presented by the prosecution. When asked if the deceased emerged covered in blood, Tine replied he could not confirm details because he was unconscious at the time. “What I said previously, I will not go back on because it is the Holy Quran that I swore on,” he declared. “The whole video was not played. If that were done, then you would understand what I am trying to say.”
Tine admitted placing a green knife to his throat later that day but claimed he did so only to deter a large crowd of over 100 people who had surrounded him and were threatening his life. “I had no other option. I told them before they kill me, I will kill myself first,” he testified. He said he found the knife at the bureau entrance and believed it might be the same weapon used in the killing. Tine explained the neck injury occurred because he underestimated the knife’s sharpness, causing severe bleeding, but stressed he had no intention of suicide.
When questioned why he did not shout for help in the busy Westfield area, Tine cited his dazed state after the alleged assault. He rejected suggestions that his actions were inconsistent with those of an innocent eyewitness. “Had I wanted to kill myself, I would have done so when I was alone in the bureau,” he said.
The accused also addressed D110,000 he claimed to have been carrying before the incident. Although the money was tendered in court as evidence, Tine said he did not know its origin or whether it had been recovered from him.
In the closing moments of cross-examination, State Counsel put it squarely to Tine that he alone was responsible for Kargbo’s death and had fabricated the story of unknown attackers to mislead the court. Tine firmly denied the allegation. “You can’t say that because you were not there,” he retorted, again urging the court to examine the complete CCTV recording.
Justice Jaiteh adjourned the matter to 22 July at 11:00 a.m. for continuation of the trial.
