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Momodou
Denmark
11804 Posts |
 Posted - 17 Feb 2007 : 17:20:53
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AT THE COURT MARTIAL
CAPTAIN PIERRE MENDY TESTIFIES
By Fabakary B. Ceesay
Captain Pierre Mendy, the former Commanding Officer (CO) of the Fajara Army Barracks has testified before the Court Martial at the Yundum Barracks on Tuesday 15th February, 2007.
Captain Mendy told the court that he was arrested on the 21st March 2007 at his residence at Kairaba Avenue. He said that while he was about to break his fast at around 19:30pm, he heard a knock on his gate. He indicated that he asked his son to go and open the gate for the person knocking. He noted that his son spent about five (5) minutes chatting with the guys at the gate. He said he then asked his son to allow the person in and thereafter he saw four (4) soldiers coming in, namely, staff Sergeant Umpa Mendy, Corporal Babou Bob and two others. He said he did not know the names of the two other soldiers.
“Umpa greeted me and said, ‘Sir we are here for you’ I told him can you excuse me to drink water, but he said no,” Captain Mendy said. He noted that he then followed them outside and there was a black land rover waiting with four (4) soldiers. Mendy said, “I asked staff Umpa what is going on,” he said, ‘am working on instructions to pick you up.’ I told him, is this the way to pick me up, he said it is instructions.” He pointed out that he then boarded the vehicle and sat between two soldiers on both his sides, and the vehicle moved to mile two (2).
He explained that upon arrival at mile two prison, he was handed to the prison authorities. Mendy noted that he then asked staff Sergeant Mendy whether that was the instruction and he replied, “Yes Sir.” He indicated that he was taken to the security wing and was put in a cell, and that the guy told him “good night.” He indicated that he later called on the attention of that same guy to give him water to drink, hence he was fasting. Captain Mendy noted that on the 23rd March 2006 around 1pm, Lieutenant Colley and some soldiers came to his cell and he was asked to get ready for questioning. He said he was handcuffed, but before he boarded the vehicle for NIA, one soldier whom he later knew as Malick Jatta insulted him, and later said “Can you remember me in 1995, when you were in the military police, you wanted to dismiss me? I told him, take your time.” He pointed out that upon arrival at the NIA, as he was climbing the stairs, the same Malick Jatta held his PGL and struck him at the left side of his head and blood started oozing, he indicated that he warned Malick to take his time. He said Malick responded, “This is just the introduction.” He said that he was taken before the panel that included Momodou Hydara, Cham, Boto Keita, ASP Ceesay and Nfally Jabang. “I was told by the panelist that I was there to defend myself and to tell them all what I know about the March 21st alleged coup attempt,” he said. See the next edition that is coming out on Monday for the details of the case.
Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 019/2007, 16-18 February, 2007
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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