Suspect denies touching murdered forex bureau attendant

The man accused of killing a forex bureau attendant at Westfield has told the High Court that he was attacked and rendered unconscious moments before the fatal stabbing that shocked the country in January 2024.

Arona Tine, a Senegalese electrician, took the witness stand before Justice Ebrima Jaiteh as the first defence witness in his murder trial and denied any involvement in the death of Fatoumatta Kargbo.

Before Tine’s testimony, defence counsel Samuel Ade raised concerns over CCTV footage from the bureau, arguing that the prosecution had failed to disclose the complete recording. Ade told the court the defence had requested an extended version of the footage showing events before and during the incident, including Tine’s entry into the premises. He suggested only portions favourable to the prosecution’s case had been tendered.

State counsel A. Gibba rejected the allegation, maintaining that the prosecution had produced all footage made available by investigators and could not provide material it did not possess.

Giving evidence in Wolof, Tine told the court that on 19 January 2024 he visited the bureau to send money to his brother in Senegal. While speaking with Kargbo, he said three men entered the premises and positioned themselves around him.

According to Tine, one of the men asked him for the time. As he looked at his wristwatch, he was struck above the eyebrow by a heavy object and lost consciousness.

When he regained awareness, he said he saw Kargbo moving toward the exit before collapsing and heard people shouting that a woman had been stabbed. Tine testified that he later picked up a knife and threatened to harm himself as angry crowds gathered outside.

Swearing on the Holy Quran, Tine denied touching Kargbo.

The accused is charged with the murder of Fatoumatta Kargbo, a forex bureau attendant who was fatally stabbed at her workplace in Westfield on 19 January 2024.

The case has been adjourned to the 1st July for further cross-examination.