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Momodou
Denmark
11833 Posts |
 Posted - 07 Nov 2006 : 14:31:21
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IN TREASON TRIAL CAPTAIN SECKAN TESTIFIES
By Bubacarr K. Sowe
Captain Saikou Seckan, the first prosecution witness in the treason trial involving Tamsir Jassey, Alieu Jobe, Omar Keita and Demba Dem, on Wednesday continued his testimony at the High Court.
Appearing before Justice Avril Anin-Yeboah, Capt. Seckan said he was arrested on the 21st of March by staff of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA). He said he made a statement while he was in the custody of the NIA. He said he made another statement when he was released on the 4th of April, 2006. Capt. Seckan recalled his efforts in alarming the NIA about the Coup plot.
He said that the former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), cum alleged ringleader, Ndure Cham, told him that he was coming from a meeting of the Security Council and nothing was mentioned about the plot.
Captain Seckan said Ndure had reaffirmed that the operation will be successful and had told him the name of the people who would be arrested.
Seckan said that he told Ndure Cham that he received a call from Capt. Bunja Darboe who told him that the meeting which was to take place at Labato Bar is cancelled, and another one will be slated.
He said that he had another call from Bunja who told him that he would pick him from his home, which he said he rejected. He said he told him to call and he would identify where they would meet by 19:00 hours. Seckan added that he left for the NIA offices where he had another appointment for 18:00 hours.
He added that he informed the NIA officers of what was going on.
According to him, he later had a call from Ndure Cham who told him that the proposed meeting at 19 hours should not proceed and they should report to their assigned places by 23:00 hours. He indicated that he had no credit to make a phone call and so rushed to a telecentre and called Bunja Darboe who told him that Ndure said the operation will start by 23:00 hours. "I told Darboe do not mind, I will call you back. I dropped off the phone," Seckan said. He said that Darboe told him Mauritania is aware of the plot. Seckan continued to say that he then told the NIA that there would be no meeting and suggested to them that they should start arresting later than 21:00 hours. He said he later called them again and they asked him to join them and he made a statement, while others were being arrested.
CROSS EXAMINATION
He was asked by Lamin S. Camara, one of the defence counsels, when he was promoted to the rank of Captain, he said in January 2001. He also confirmed that he was arrested and detained between the 21st March to 4th of April. He also said that he wrote two statements while under NIA detention.
When cross examined by Lamin Jobarteh on how he knew the people were arrested on the 21st of March since he was with the NIA, Seckan said he knows some of those who were arrested. On how truthful is his testimony since he said that at the time of his arrest he was a Lieutenant, he answered that he was re promoted to the rank of Captain after the arrest.
When he was re-examined by the Director of Public Prosecution, Emmanuel Fagbenle, he said he was demoted in 2004 from Captain to Lieutenant.
Justice Yaboah then ruled that re-examination happens when the question and the answer is not clear.
The trial continues on the 8th and 9th of November, 2006 for continuation.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No.95/06, 3-5 November, 2006
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