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Momodou
Denmark
11828 Posts |
 Posted - 07 Nov 2007 : 12:51:40
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ALLEGED INSURGENTS TO APPEAR IN COURT TODAY
By Bubacarr K. Sowe & Abdou Jeli Keita
The ongoing trail of the eight Senegalese alleged separatists is expected to resume today at the Banjul Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate B.Y Camara.
The eight accused men, Sidat Jarju - alias Abelemben, Ebrima Vieux Colley - alias Abuja, Nuha Jammeh - alias Assambane, Lamin Teww Sambou, Ansumana Jarju, Tamsir Badjie, Joseph Jatta and Abdou Salam Jammeh are charged with four different criminal counts.
These charges are conspiracy to commit felony, spying and receiving stolen properties contrary to section 368, 37 (1) (b) and 297 (1) of the criminal code, respectively, and unlawful possession of The Gambia national identity card contrary to paragraph 6 of the first schedule of Gambian Nationality and Citizenship act.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issues
Issue No. 131/2007, 7 – 8 November 2007
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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Momodou
Denmark
11828 Posts |
Posted - 12 Nov 2007 : 16:33:20
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Alleged Senegalese Rebels Accuse
State Security Agents of Brutality
By Fabakary B. Ceesay
The trial involving nine alleged Senegalese rebels entered into a “Voire dire” (trial within trial) to establish the voluntariness of the cautionary and voluntary statements of the first and second accused persons, Sidat Jarju and Ebrima Colley. This development arose when the duo raised objection on the tendering of their statements, saying it was obtained from them under duress.
The first prosecution witness (PW1), Landing Barrow Sanneh an NIA Officer told the court in January 2007, that they received a highly classified information that some MFDC rebels were operating illegally in The Gambia. NIA Barrow Sanneh pointed out that he was part of the group who were ordered to locate Ebrima Colley at Sinchu Alagie. He said Mr. Colley was arrested and his house was searched and many items were confiscated in the presence of the accused.
He noted that Mr. Colley was escorted to Wellingara Police Station before being moved to NIA headquarters in Banjul for questioning. Going further, officer Barrow Sanneh narrated that on the same day, they advanced to Sidat Jarju’s house at Wellingara. He said Sidat ran away after knowing that they were security agents but that he was persuaded and apprehended. He indicated that they went to his house and conducted a search recovered many items in the process. He said Jarju was also escorted to Wellingara Police Station with the said items and later transferred to NIA headquarters. Lang Barrow Sanneh asserted that no force was use on the two accused persons when they were being arrested. He added that the duo were not beaten, tortured or harassed. He noted that they did not promise or play any tricks on them. He said the duo never complained to him personally about any beating by officers. He said he did not spot any injuries or bloodstains on them and that they did not force them to make their statements.
During cross examination by the first accused Sidat Jarju, officer Barrow Sanneh refuted that Mr. Jarju’s house was searched while he was being detained at Wellingara Station. Mr. Jarju put it to him that he did not know the type of items confiscated from his house and that Lang Barrow Sanneh was insulting him and was calling him a ****** in the presence of a driver called Lamin Badjie. Officer Barrow Sanneh described the allegations as baseless.
The second accused person, Ebrima Colley, put it to him that he was the first person to be arrested and not Sidat Jarju. Mr. Barrow Sanneh responded in the negative. Ebrima Colley also put it to him that he was not invited when his house was being searched. Mr. Barrow said Ebrima’s house was searched in his presence. The second prosecution witness, CID Officer Salifu Nyang attached to Kairaba Police Station said the first accused person, Sidat Jarju, was brought before the panel of investigators on four occasions, that was on 18, 30, 31 May and I June 2007. CID officer Salifu Nyang added that Ebrima Colley appeared before the panel on 19, 30 and 1 June respectively. Officer Nyang indicated that the duo confessed that they came from Cassamance and had no legal documents for them to reside in The Gambia. He added that they admitted obtaining Gambian identity cards to maintain their stay in the country. Mr. Nyang pointed out that they were asked what they are doing in The Gambia and about the monies given to them by one Abdou Lafif Hydara, and the amount of 7, 900,000 CFA which was allegedly found in their possessions. Mr. Nyang added that they were also asked about the cashbook, Laptop, Camera, map of The Gambia and Cassamance, a bag full of talisman (Juju), military camouflage and two motorbikes. CID Nyang indicated that some of their questions were answered and some not answered. He noted that they never beat any one to answer their questions. He pointed out that both agreed to make statements and that he was ordered by the panel to obtain their statements. He said an independent witness was introduced to them by the name Tijan Bah, a retired civil servant. He said both made their statements without promise, threat or duress. He said the accused persons and the independent witness signed the statements and he endorsed it as the officer who obtained the statements.
During cross examination, Sidat Jarju put it to him that he did appear before the panel on two occasions and not on four occasions and whether he (CID) Nyang was present. CID Nyang maintained that Sidat was brought to the panel on four occasions and that he was present. CID Nyang said he couldn’t remember the first question put to Sidat at the panel, noting that there were many questions. He added that they could not remember the remarks put to Sidat by officer Jobe. “Can you recall the threatening remarks you were putting to me before my statement was obtained?,” asked Sidat. Nyang said he did not threaten him. “I put it to you that Jobe insulted my mother and threatened me to say as they want it or else they will take me back to be beaten,” said Sidat. CID Nyang said that was not true. Sidat also put it to him that there was no independent witness present when his statement was obtained. Nyang said a witness was present.
The second accused Ebrima Colley also put it to him that he was beaten very seriously until his shirt was stained with blood and that he was not allowed to come with that shirt to court. CID Nyang said Ebrima was never beaten. Ebrima Colley put it to him that when he first appeared before the panel, he was not beaten, but that the second and third occasion, he was mercilessly beaten and that he spotted the witness himself present when one officer named Musa Kinteh ordered for his statement to be taken. CID Nyang brushed aside the allegations. “I put it to you that I have never heard the name Tijan Bah until in court,” said Ebrima Colley. CID Nyang maintained that was not true. The trial magistrate was BY Camara and state counsel was E.O Fagbenle. The alleged insurgents are without a legal representative.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 133/2007, 12 - 13 November, 2007 |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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