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Momodou
Denmark
11717 Posts |
 Posted - 19 Dec 2006 : 18:40:16
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In The Treason Trial
Lowe’s Testimony Expunged
Bubacarr K Sowe
The testimony of Alieu Lowe, the third prosecution witness in the treason trial involving Tamisr Jassey, Alieu Jobe, Omar Keita and Demba Dem was on Wednesday expunged from the court’s record.
The state’s application for the evidence of Lowe to be expunged from the court’s record came on the heels of a claim by Emmanuel Fagbenle (the prosecutor) that his witness is hostile to the prosecution. The court granted the application on Wednesday the 13th of December.
Testifying before Justice Amin-Yeboah, Ousman Sey, an Islamic teacher acknowledged that he know Alieu Jobe. Mr. Sey said on the night of Tuesday, 21st of March 2006, Alieu Jobe came to his home and asked him whether he know what is happening in the country. Sey added that he then asked him what the problem is. “He told me the soldiers want to have a coup d’ etat, but it has failed,” Sey Said. He continued to say that Alieu Jobe then informed him that the soldiers involved in the coup were Colonel Ndure Cham and others. Sey narrated that he then advised Alieu Jobe not to worry himself since he is not a soldier, and he is not involved. He added that Alieu Jobe then received a phone call and later drove off.
Testifying further, Sey said while on his way to school the following day, he received a phone call from Alieu Jobe who informed him that he will call him later. He said while at school, Alieu called him and told him that Cham has run away. Sey said after closing from school, he passed by Alieu’s home. He said Alieu told him that he is worry and that he had a sleepless night, because most of his friends were arrested.
He testified that Alieu told him that a marabout called Chernor Barry did involve him in the problem. During cross-examination by Counsel Lamin Jobarteh, Sey said he has been in detention since his arrest on the 28th of March 2006. He said he made only one statement at the National Intelligence Agency (NIA). He also said that Alieu did tell him that it is Cherno Barry who involved him in the problem.
Staff Sergeant Dam Jobe, of the 1st Infantry Battalion at the Yundum Barracks said he was on duty on the 21st of March 2006, and was responsible for the distribution of names. Sergeant Jobe said after the distribution of names, he reported to the duty officer, Lieutenant Savage, who asked him whether he know where Captain Y.M.S. Darboe resides. Sergeant Jobe added that Lt. Savage told him that the driver, Lance Corporal Colley knows there. “He gave me a bunch of keys for the armoury which I was to deliver to Captain Darboe. He said they did not meet Captain Darboe, but they handed the keys to his wife, and informed her to surrender them to her husband. Jobe said he then informed Lt. Savage on the development, and he called the wife of Captain Darboe to confirm that the keys were handed over to her.
During cross-examination by Lawyer Lamin S. Camara, Sergeant Jobe indicated Captain Darboe was an adjutant and was responsible of the armoury keys as at 21st of March.
Testifying later, the sixth prosecution witness, Corporal Ajuma Camara, a guard commander posted at the Abuko Earth Station, said while on duty on the 21st of March 2006, Captain Wassa Camara visited the station twice and asked for Mr. Njie. Corporal Camara said he had asked his guard to escort Captain Camara to the operator who told him that Mr. Njie is not present. He testified that between the hours of nine and ten in the afternoon, Captain Camara came back and asked for the same Mr. Njie, the Director of the Abuko Earth Station. Corporal Camara narrated that he then took Captain Camara to the operator where he used a telephone to call Mr. Njie.
According to Corporal Camara, he went with Captain Camara to a shop and bought green tea (Ataya). He added that while Captain Camara was coming from the other side of the fence, he was talking over a mobile phone. “I gave him the Ataya, he drank it and I returned to my guard post,” the Corporal said. He said that upon his return to the post, he received a call from Private B. Sanneh who informed him of a coup plot. “He explained everything to me and told me that some officers are arrested and we need to be on alert,” Corporal Camara said.
During cross-examination by Lamin Jobarteh, Corporal Camara said Captain Wassa Camara was the head of the Military Police and one of his responsibilities was checking military posts. He said the captain was on a private visit and he had no diary at the post to enter the names of visitors.
A technician at the Earth Station, Lamin Colley, said he was on duty and a soldier came to him and asked for Mr. Njie.
Mr. Colley said that the soldier who was wearing a civilian dress asked him whether he can use the phone, which he agreed to. “He spoke briefly on the phone with Mr. Njie and he told me that he is called Mr. Camara” Colley added. “He also said that Njie was to bring something for him from Dakar and later said he is in Bakau.”
Mr. Colley was not cross examined by the defence. The case was adjourned for further hearing.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 113/2006, 18-19 December, 2006
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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