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Momodou
Denmark
11765 Posts |
 Posted - 25 Jan 2007 : 13:30:56
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AT COURT-MARTIAL
By Bubacarr K. Sowe
The General Court Martial trying the suspects of the March 21 alleged coup d'etat, on Saturday finished hearing the testimony of a Police detective and started hearing from a soldier.
Under vigorous cross-examination by the defence, detective Sergeant Lamin Cham read a list of names written in Arabic. According to him, the document was found in the house of a Marabout, Omar Faal Keita (also facing treason charges). He said the document was aimed at making the alleged coup successful. Sergeant Cham was asked to spell the Arabic alphabets of the names, which he did. However, it was put to him by defence counsel Lamin Camara that he was not spelling the alphabets, but instead reading the syllables. He responded by saying that he was reading what he saw because he could not read some of the writings apart from the names. The defence asked him whether that means something to him. He answered: "I am not a marabout, I do not know what it means." On another document purportedly illustrating the charities the alleged plotters were assigned to give out by the marabout, Cham could not say to who it was to be given. Asked whether there is a Gregorian or Arabic date on the charity document, he said there is no date in the English language.
The Police detective said the cautionary statements of Captain Bunja Darboe, Captain Pierre John Mendy and Captain Abdoukarim Jah were not taken under duress or intimidation. He also said there was a member of The Gambia National Army who was stationed outside the door where Bunja Darboe's statement was obtained.
WO2 NFALLY JABANG TESTIFIES
Also appearing before the six member panel on Saturday, Warrant Officer 2, Nfally Jabang, said he was called to join a panel at the NIA. Jabang told the court that the panel comprising the army, Police and the Intelligence service was meant to investigate the March 21 alleged abortive coup. He told the court that the first accused person was brought before the panel and questioned about his duties. According to Jabang, on March 26 after the investigation was completed, the accused persons appealed to the panel that they wanted to appear on television and explain to the public about the alarm they have caused. He added that their panel deemed it necessary to give them the privilege and after which they contacted Momodou Sanyang, Director of GRTS, who sent in a team to record them. Jabang narrated that the accused persons cooperated amicably and explained freely and this was attended by two Police Officers in the hall. He said before the recording commenced, they were cautioned. He said after the recording, it was aired on the 27th March and handed to the panel.
Jabang identified the cassette exhibited in court, saying it is marked "Coup Plotters Video Cassette." He also identified a micro cassette containing the conversation between Corporal Mbye and Colonel Ndure Cham. He added that the micro cassette and a recorder were handed to the panel on 22nd March. Jabang also identified a document found in Captain Bunja Darboe's office which he said was intended to be read to the nation after the success of the coup.
He admitted knowing all accused persons, adding that he was serving under the same unit with the 1st accused, Captain Bunja Darboe, at The Gambia Armed Forces (GAF).
Cross-Examination
Jabang said he is working under the state Guard Unit, noting that he is an investigative officer. He said that he did not write any statement after the investigation, adding that he was appointed by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) to be part of the panel. The CDS was not part of the joint investigating panel.
The trial resumes on the 1st of February at the Yundum Military Barracks.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 010/2007, 24-25 January, 2007
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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