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Momodou
Denmark
11738 Posts |
 Posted - 25 Nov 2006 : 04:07:07
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BUNJA DARBOE AND CO CASE
Private Alagie Nying Testifies
By Fabakary B. Ceesay
Private Alagie Nying has informed the court martial that his statement was obtained under severe duress. Testifying on Saturday, Nying told the court that, he is a mechanic attached to the state guard. He said he has served The Gambia National Army for almost ten years.
He told the court that he was working on a vehicle on 4th April 2006 when one Sabally, an NIA officer came with two soldiers and told him that he is needed at the NIA headquarters. He said he joined the same vehicle with them and headed to the NIA office. He said he was searched upon their arrival at the NIA. He stated that his mobile and wallet were taken from him. He said he was later taken to the panel that was setup by the state to investigate the alleged coup plot. He pointed out that one Musa Jammeh told him that they all know each other because they worked at the place.”Musa Jammeh told me, you are a private soldier, you have nothing to do with this. We want to use you as a witness to give evidence on Alieu Jobe. I told them I know nothing about the coup plot,” said Nying. He explained that he only met Alieu Jobe when he brought his vehicle to him to work on it. He mentioned that Mr. Jobe had told him that he (Jobe) had dreamt of being a President, but he told him that he cannot interpret dreams. Private Nying noted that one Hydara has told him that they have on record and on writing all what had transpired between him and Alieu Jobe. Private Nying explained that Hydara told him that Alieu Jobe is in another room and that either they called him to come and testify or they play the records. Private Nying said he told him to play the record but Hydara, did not do so. He indicated that at that Juncture, Musa Jammeh alia “Maliya Mongu,” told him that if he does not comply, he (Musa) will jump on him. Private Nying said he did not know the reason why they called Musa Jammeh Maliya Mongu, but he believed that he was named after Maliya Mongu of Uganda.
Mr. Nying indicated that, Maliya went to the room where they alleged Alieu Jobe was and later came and told him what Alieu had told him. He said Maliya ordered him to put that in his statement. He said at that time the panelist were writing what he had said and that of (Maliya) Musa Jammeh. He noted that lance Corporal Babou Janha was later brought in with blood running from his nose and was escorted by three (3) soldiers. He asserted that he was later taken to another room and Abdoulie Sowe started copying from the statement he made to the panel. He said there was an armed officer standing at least two metres away from him with a rifle. He pointed out that while he was with Sowe, Maliya came in with an MP5 rifle in his hand and asked Sowe to write everything that he (Maliya) has said to the panel. Eh said that Maliya did not beat him, but he was insulting him and telling him that he was involved in the case. Nying narrated that when Sowe finished copying he told Sowe that he had write what he wanted but that he (Nying) never discussed anything about the coup with Alieu Jobe. He said, he was threatened by the panelist that if he did not sign he will be beaten. He said he later signed the statement. He said he never knew the content of the statement. He said he never knew the contest of the statement because Sowe never read it to him. He denied that an independent witness was present at the time.
Private Nying narrated that five of then were taken to the NIA complex some months after this incident. He said they were separated when they arrived at the NIA. He noted that he was taken to the panelists. He said he met Inspector Ceesay, Sowe and others he did not know. According to him he was asked to copy exactly from the statement he made on 4th April. He indicated that he asked for the reason, but he was told that it is for his own good and that he will be sued as a state witness. He pointed out that he was promised to be released, but will be used as a state witness. He said he argued that his lawyers should be present, but he was told that was note necessary. He said at that point, there was disagreement between him and the panelists. He asserted that Inspector Ceesay called one soldier and ordered him that if he refused to sign he should take him to the NIA cell until at night and see what will happen to him. He said Hydara later came in and told Inspector Ceesay, “This ****er is still refusing to sign.” He pointed out that Ceesay told Hydara to leave any body who refused to sign until at night. He said to then accepted and signed. He said thee was disagreement between him, Sowe and Inspector Ceesay about recording the date, but they refused to put the date and no witness was present. During cross examination by Mrs. Marie Saine Firdaus, Private Nying told the court that anybody who is taken to the panel at the particular will be afraid. He said he knew Musa Jammeh (Maliya Mongu). Since the day he graduate to join the army. He said anybody who see Maliya at the place will be afraid. He said the people at the panel were Musa Bojang, Nfally Jabang, Musa Jammeh, Alagie Martin and Sabally, who picked him up, at the state house. He said Musa and Alagie were not part of the panel but were sitted behind him. He pointed out that it took over six months for his second statement to be copied. He said he believed that eh was going to be used as a witness. He maintained that he was never beaten on both occasions, but was threatened insulting, intimidated on promised. Private Nying pointed out that he was forced to know something about the coup. Mrs. Saine Firdaus put it to him that he had signed the statement without force, threat and promise but in accordance to what he has told solve. She also put it to him that, the independent witness Babou Loum was present when he (Nying) was making the statement. Nying replied that he was forced to sign and that Babou Loum was never present. He also said that, Sowe never read the statement to him before he signed it. Mrs. Saine Firdaus put it to him that all that he had said to the court are his own imaginations, private Nying, said what he said is the truth and not imagination.
Justice Agim has adjourned the case to 30th November 2006, due to the absence o one of the panelists, Captain Malamin Jarjue.
Justice Agim said the sitting cannot proceed as they are going to swear in two (20 new members to the panel.
Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 104/2006, 24-26 November, 2006
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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