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Momodou
Denmark
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 Posted - 27 Feb 2007 : 13:01:32
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AT THE COURT MARTIAL, 2nd LIEUTENANT SANYANG TESTIFIES
By Fabakary B. Ceesay
Second Lieutenant Pharing Sanyang, who is standing trial at the court martial for his alleged involvement in March 21st 2006, abortive coup, has testified before the court on Friday 23rd February 2006 at Yundum Barracks.
2nd Lieutenant Sanyang told the court that on the 21st March 2006 he was at his office at the State Guards Headquarters. He said that he was later informed by his Second-In- Command (2/IC) of the battalion, Captain Famara Jammeh, that he had information about a coup being planned by some people. Sanyang indicated that he asked Jammeh who gave him the information. He noted that Jammeh told him that he got a phone call from one Warrant Officer second class (WO2) Gibba of The Gambia Armed Forces. He said that both of them tried to keep in touch with their commander, Major Sering Momodou Njie (then a Captain).
He said while he and Jammeh were trying to reach Commander Njie through telephone, Jammeh left for his office. He said that he later got in touch with Major Njie and asked him whether Captain Jammeh had informed him about what was going on. Lieutenant Sanyang indicated that Major Njie told him that Jammeh had informed him about it and gave brief explanation. He said that Major Njie told him that he (Njie) was at around the Serrekunda market but that they should meet at the State House. Sanyang indicated that he also told Major Njie that he would rush to his office to pick up his rifle and other military gears. He said that when he arrived at the State House, Major Njie gave him a batch of soldiers to go and take care of the airport security before the arrival of the President.
Lieutenant Sanyang indicated that he then checked their military equipment and later realised that some of them were not in good condition. "When we changed the ammunitions until everything was intact, I then asked my men, whether they are good to go, they said 'Sir, if you are good to go, we are good to go,'" he said. He said that while they were boarding the truck for the airport, Commander Njie was making arrangements to deploy other soldiers to go and arrest those people whose names were involved in the alleged coup plot. He pointed out that he left for the airport at around 6:00pm. He said that he later realised that his communication radio batteries were weak. He narrated that he later called his younger brother to check his brief case and take some money to buy eight credit cards of Gamcel, including one Africell credit card. He said that he distributed it among the phones in the platoon for them to be communicating with each other. Sanyang noted that he then tasked various groups for their responsibilities and deployed them to various security points of the airport.
He said that he was later called by Major Njie to enquire about the situation on the ground. "I told him 'Sir, as for now there is no problem'. I also asked him whether I can take the control tower and allow no plane to land until the president arrived. He asked me to wait for his orders before I can give any orders. The president arrived at around 11:00pm to 12:00midnight. I went with Major Njie to receive the president at the foot of the air craft;" said Sanyang. He said that Major Njie and the president left for the State House. He said that he was later ordered by Major Njie through telephone that he should hold the ground for forty eight (48) hours.
"I was there until at the early hours of the 22nd March 2006. In the morning, when Lieutenant Musa Jammeh, alias Malya Mungu, Lieutenant Alieu Ceesay, Sergeant Sulayman Badjie and Sergeant Buba Badjie came, they told me that they had come to change my position and also check my health condition. Lieutenant Ceesay took over my position and I joined the vehicle with Lieutenant Jammeh with the two Sergeants. When we reached the Mile Two gate, Musa Jammeh told the driver to drive into the Mile Two premises.
When we arrived he asked me to hand over my rifle to him. I asked him why and he responded 'You are under arrest', said Sanyang." I then handed my rifle to him, plus the ammunitions, pistol, explosives and my Wedding Jacket as well. He then called, Lance Corporal Malick Jatta, Corporal Ismaila Jammeh, Private Alieu Jeng and Private Michael Jatta, he told them to take me and sort me out. I asked him for what they were taking me. He said they are going to punish you. I asked him why? He said, 'You have some connection to the coup plotters'. I told him that I had no connection with the coup plotters. He said, if they deal with you that will be the time you will know that you have connections with them," Sanyang narrated. He said that he was then handcuffed and made to join a vehicle with Malick Jatta sitting at his left while Private Jeng sat at his right and Corporal Jammeh took the front seat and they headed for the NIA Headquarters.
The case was adjourned till 1st March 2007.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 023/2007, 26-27 February 2007
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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