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Momodou
Denmark
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 Posted - 20 Jan 2007 : 17:24:15
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CHIEF OF DEFENCE STAFF TESTIFIES
By Bubacarr K. Sowe
Colonel Lang Tombong Tamba, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of the Gambia Armed Forces, was cross-examined on Wednesday at the High Court on the treason trial involving Tamsir Jasseh, Alieu Jobe, Omar Keita and Demba Dem.
Colonel Tamba told the court that he wrote a statement on the 22nd of March. Asked by the defence whether what he gave in his evidence in chief was based on what he was told, Tamba said it was based on what he knew. He also denied that it is not what Corporal Mbye told him. He Said he was not present when Mbye met the ex-CDS, Colonel Ndure Cham, and was not there when Mbye recorded their conversation. CDS Tamba also said it was not in his presence when Corporal Mbye and Captain Bunja Darboe met.
DETECTIVE CHAM’S TESTIMONY
Also appearing before Justice Anin Yeboah, Lamin Cham, a police detective, said he knows both accused persons in court. He testified that on the 21st of March, he was called by the authorities to report to work and upon arrival; he was told to join his colleagues at the National Intelligence Agency (NIA). He said he was to be part of a panel investigating the March 21st foiled coup, adding that they were thirteen panelists from the Army, police and intelligence agency.
According to him, Tamsir Jasseh appeared before them on March 25th and explained his involvement in the coup plot. Cham said he then took a statement from Jasseh, but before taking the cautionary statement, he cautioned him that he is not obliged to say anything but whatever he say may he used as evidence against him in court. He said Jasseh understood it, signed it and agreed to make a statement. Cham said that an independent witness was present who signed it and he (Cham) also countersigned as the officer. Boto Keita and Abdoulie Sowe, both police detectives were also present when Jasseh was writing his statement, according to Cham.
He told the court that an additional statement was also obtained from Jasseh which was witnessed by an independent witness and his detective colleagues.
On March 28th, he said, one Omar Faal Keita appeared before the panel and was asked to explain his role in the plot. Cham added that Keita accepted to give a statement, after which he cautioned him that he is not forced to say anything, but any statement made may be used against him in court He said Babou Loum who was taken again as an independent witness signed the statement and the accused also signed it. After obtaining a statement from Keita, the Police detective said he read it to him about twice or thrice and the accused thumb printed it and the witness and himself signed it. On the 2nd of April, Cham added that he took two additional statements from Keita, again signed by both of them and the independent witness. Testifying further, Cham said National Assembly Member, Demba Dem, also appeared before the panel on the 30th of March and explained all what he knew about the foiled coup. Cham added that Dem agreed to give a statement, but preferred speaking in English whilst the detective wrote it down. He told the Court that he cautioned him as he did with all the accused persons before him, that the statement he was to take would be on his own free will and could be used against him as evidence.
He said that Babou Loum was present, and all three of them signed it.
The police detective narrated that on April 19th, he obtained three voluntary statements from Tamsir Jasseh, three voluntary statements from Demba Dem and three voluntary statements from Omar Faal Keita which were witnessed by the same Babou Loum.
Quizzed by the prosecutor, Emmanuel Fagbenle on how many languages he can speak, Cham said: “I speak and write English, I can speak Mandinka and Wollof. I also read Arabic and The Qur’an.”
Hearing continues next Wednesday, 24th January at the High Court before Justice Anin – Yeboah.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No.008/2007, 19-21 January, 2007
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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