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Momodou
Denmark
11733 Posts |
 Posted - 08 Dec 2006 : 14:48:13
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Counsels Cross Examine Detective Abdoulie Sowe
By Fabakary B. Ceesay
Lawyer Lamin S. Camara and Lamin Jobarteh have on Saturday 2nd December 2006, cross examined detective first class 1580 Abdoulie Sowe. Abdoulie Sowe is the first prosecution witness in the trial of Captain Bunja Darboe at the court martial. Detective Sowe told the court that he was present when Captain Bunja Darboe was brought before the panel. He said he cannot tell how many times he was brought before the panel.
He said during the course of their investigations a cautionary statement was obtained from Captain Darboe. He added that he cannot tell the actual date when the statement was taken. He also said he cannot tell how many statements Captain Darboe made to the panel. Detective Sowe maintained that he doesn't know the date that the preamble was written and the it's recovery date. Counsel Camara told him that he said he was present all the time, and he responded in the affirmative. Sowe indicated that there is no name of Captain Darboe on the preamble but that his signature is there. Camara asked him how he knows that the signature was that of Captain Darboe. He replied that Captain Darboe has told him and also the panel that the signature is his but he said that he cannot tell the date. Camara ask him where did he recover the video cassette and how. He said he recovered it at GRTS and from Momodou Sanyang. He said that the micro tape and a small cassette were recovered from Chief of Defense Staff (CDS) Colonel Lang Tombong Tamba, during the course at their investigation. Sowe added that he cannot tell how long their investigation lasted, whether days or months, he cannot estimate the duration. He said he cannot tell how many times the panel obtained the statement of Captain Darboe, because Captain Darboe was brought before the panel on different occasions. Sowe noted that he had never found anything from Captain Darboe apart from the preamble. He said that Captain Darboe had made a statement in his presence. Counsel Camara asked him where and when did Captain Darboe made a statement to the press. Sowe said Captain Darboe spoke to the press at the NIA conference hall but he cannot remember the specific date. Sowe indicated that Captain Darboe was under the custody of the panelist when he spoke to the press. He explained that he and detective Boto Keita were present when Captain Darboe made a statement to the press. He added that two GRTS Staff, a cameraman and a technical operator were also present. He said the accused person requested to speak to the general public and to the commander in chief of The Gambia Armed Forces, but that he cannot tell the date. Mr. Sowe said out that Captain Darboe's statement was obtained contained before he spoke to the media in the presence of the independent witness, Tijan Bojang, Boto Keita, himself and the armed officer who sitted at a distance for their protection. Counsel Camara finally put it to him that the preamble was not found with the accused person but that it was made at the panel. Sowe said, it was found with him and that it was not made at the panel but that it was found in accused person's office drawer.
During cross examination by Lamin Jobarteh, detective Sowe told the Court Martial that he has served The Gambia police Force for a long time now and that he is very good in doing his job. He said he is familiar with the conduct of diary of action. He noted that it is not all the time that they include in their diary activities such as who they went for, what they went for and what they recovered. Sowe indicated that their reports include the activities of Captain Darboe in their diary if action. He added that the best witness of a police officer is the station diary and the diary of action. He admitted that he is still maintaining the station diary. He also said that they don't record the movements and affairs of the accused person in the station diary at all time. Counsel Jobarteh asked him whether he can produce the station diary, report of investigations and the diary of action before the court. He replied in the positive. Justice Agim asked him to bring the diary by the next sitting-sitting continues on the 7th December 2006.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No.109/2006, 6-7 December, 2006
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