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Momodou
Denmark
11738 Posts |
 Posted - 19 Mar 2010 : 16:57:31
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Culled from the Point Online
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Lang Tambong, nine others to appear in court today
By Soury Camara
Friday, March 19, 2010
Picture: L-R Ngorr Secka, Lang Tombong, Bombadier, Ndure Cham, BO Badjie, Modou Gaye and OB Mbye
Lang Tombong Tamba, former Chief of Defence Staff of the Gambia Armed Forces and nine others are expected to appear today at the High Court in Banjul, charged with three counts of treason.
The nine other accused persons are Brigadier General Ndure Cham, Brigadier General Omar Bun Mbye, Colonel Lamin B.O. Badgie, Lt. Colonel Kawsu Camara (alias Bombardier), Modou Gaye former Deputy Inspector General of Police, Gibril Ngorr Secka, Abdoulie Joof (alias Lie Joof), Yousef Ezaziden (alias Rambo) and Omar Camara.
The particulars of the offence on count one state that:
Lt. General Lang Tombong Tamba, Brigadier General Ndure Cham, Brigadier General Omar Bun Mbye, Colonel Lamin Bo Badjie, Lt Colonel Kawsu Camara, Modou Gaye, Gibril Ngorr Secka, Abdoulie Joof, Yousef Ezziden (alias Rambo) Omar Camara and others now at large on diverse dates between 1st January and 19th December 2009 at Bijilo and other places within the jurisdiction of this honourable court conspired to stage a coup d? etat and overthrow the President and democratically-elected government of the Republic of The Gambia by force of arms.
Count two, in the particulars of the offence reads:
Lt General Lang Tombong Tamba, Brigadier General Ndure Cham, Brigadier General Omar Bun Mbye, Colonel Lamin Bo Badjie, LT Colonel Kawsu Camara, Modou Gaye, Ngorr Secka, Abdoulie Joof, Yousef Ezziden (alias Rambo) Omar Camara and others now at large on diverse dates between 1st January and 19th December 2009 procured arms and ammunition, equipment and mercenaries from Guinea Conakry and other places to stage a coup d' etat and overthrow the President and democratically-elected government of the Republic of The Gambia.
Count three of the particulars of the offence further states that: Lt. General Lang Tombong Tamba, Brigadier General Ndure Cham, Brigadier General Omar Bun Mbye, Colonel Lamin Bo Badjie, Lt. Colonel Kawsu Camara , Modou Gaye, Ngorr Secka, Abdoulie Joof, Yousef Ezziden (alias Rambo) Omar Camara and others now at large on diverse dates between 1st January and 19th December 2009 procured arms and ammunition, equipment and mercenaries from Guinea Conakry and other places to stage a coup d' etat and overthrow the President and democratically-elected government of the Republic of The Gambia.
The accused persons also face two counts of overt acts.
Count one of the overt acts states that: Lt. General Lang Tombong Tamba, Brigadier General Ndure Cham, Brigadier General Omar Bun Mbye, Colonel Lamin Bo Badjie, Lt. Colonel Kawsu Camara, Modou Gaye, Gibril Ngorr Secka, Abdoulie Joof, Yousef Ezziden (alias Rambo) Omar Camara and others on various dates between 1st January and December 2009 held meetings at the house of Lang Tombong Tamba in The Gambia where discussions were made and agreement reached and detailed plans laid for the overthrow of the President and the government of The Gambia by force of arms. Abdoulie Joof and Yousef Ezziden (alais Rambo) were assigned the role of financing the coup plot. Lang Tombong Tamba and Bo Badjie were, amongst other things, assigned the role of purchasing the equipment such as vehicles, arms, ammunition, hire personal and effect an assault on The Gambia from Guinea Bissau so as to actualise the coup plot.
Count two of the overt acts states that: "To actualise the coup plot all the accused persons attended the meetings for that purpose at Lang Tombong Tamba's house on various dates between 1st January and 19th December 2009.
"Lang Tombong Tamba and Bo Badjie invited Rui Jabbi Gassama to The Gambia from Guinea Bissau and paid him staggering amounts of money to purchase for them arms and ammunition.
"Also to purchase a ship to convey the arms to The Gambia for the purpose of the assault. He was also to train dissident persons in Guinea Bissau for the accused persons to launch an assault on The Gambia.
"The ship was priced by Rui Jabbi Gassama on the instruction of Lang Tombong Tamba and Bo Badjie and all the accused persons.
Lt. Colonel Kawsu Camara was assigned the role of intriguing at the Kanilai Farms for the purpose of knowing when and if the President would be there so that he could be assaulted by the coup plotters. All the accused persons were engaged in a network of spying, gathering information, buying and reselling prohibited drugs for the purpose of actualising the coup plot.
The accused persons also hired one Ebrima Marreh to spy out weak spots in the defences of The Gambia, especially in military barracks for the purpose of actualising the coup plot."
Source: The Point Online
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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Momodou
Denmark
11738 Posts |
Posted - 19 Mar 2010 : 18:05:45
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Are they guilty before being tried? The following is culled from Daily Observer.
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Daily Observer Editorial: A shocking revelation
Friday, March 19, 2010
It is indeed shocking that some military officers who were relieved of their positions for reasons of malpractices and incompetence had out of greed, jealousy and sentimentalism plotted to overthrow the democratically elected government of this country and plunge the country into choas. These were people who President Jammeh in his bid to modernise the Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) trusted to manage its affairs.
T hey were sent for training courses overseas, promoted on several occasions and made to enjoy numerous fringe benefits; All these were done to motivate them, so that as soldiers, they can always be ready to fulfill their duty of defending the country against any threat, whether internal or external. What they planned to do is akin to serpentine subterfuge, treachery of the highest order. The fact that they were hell-bent on destroying the peace and tranquillity of our beloved country makes it obvious to Gambians that they never had the interest of the country at heart, and had all along been driven by inordinate ambition.
They even went to the extent of seeking the assistance of foriegn undersirable elements -mercenaries, to help execute their infernal plan. Mercenaries are nothing more than modern day pirates and buccanneers who only live to kill, loot and destroy. They don't care what tragedy their actions might inflict on any nation and its populace. Yet some people who call themseves Gambians went to the extent of hiring such people to come and attack this country. Surely, History will never forgive them. If the plan was not circumvented, who knows what could have happened to the nation and all that had been achieved all these years. How many innocent souls would have lost their lives in such a bloody operation? Certainly, the prayers of over a million men and women for the protection of President Jammeh; the continuous development of this country; and the peace and tranquillity that pervades our society were not in vain..
Did these people forget that coups and any undemocratic change of government are no longer tolerated in the international community? They only make countries to become pariah states and odious in the eyes of others. As far as The Gambia is concerned, the democratic structures are in place for whoever has a political ambition. You contest and if the people want you, they vote you into power. Anything contrary to that is sheer political bringandage.
We are also cognisant of the fact that some Gambians, albeit an insignificant minority, are averse to the hopes and aspirations of this government, but it does not matter much because that is what democracy connotes. The government of the day considers the open door policy for those opposing it to be a lesson in courage, determination, humanity and confidence in the people. Any individual who thinks he can destroy the smooth progress of this country living an illusion; the citizenry says and will continue to say no to coups.
Source: Daily Observer |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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LEMON TIME
Afghanistan
1295 Posts |
Posted - 20 Mar 2010 : 01:38:58
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Gambia charges over 'plot to oust Jammeh'
President Yahya Jammeh has threatened to kill rights workers
A group of senior military officials and businessmen have been charged with trying to overthrow Gambian President Yahya Jammeh, the government says.
A Justice Ministry statement said the group had "conspired to stage a coup d'etat and overthrow the president".
Mr Jammeh himself came to power after a bloodless coup in 1994.
His critics recently expressed concern over a wave of arrests of senior officials - some of whom have been in jail for months without charge.
Gambian newspapers reported that the men are being accused of bringing in weapons and mercenaries to support their coup attempt.
The BBC's Tidiane Sy says it is not the first time that army officers have been accused of plotting against the president.
In 2006, another group of military men were accused of trying to overthrow his government, and Banjul accused Senegal of taking part in that plot.
In recent years, Mr Jammeh has publicly threatened to kill gay people and rights workers.
And last month the government expelled the envoy of the UN's children charity, Unicef.
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There is no god but Allah |
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Karamba
United Kingdom
3820 Posts |
Posted - 20 Mar 2010 : 20:23:14
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Thank you Momodou,
Lemon Time, what you added from BBC is the type of information that splits the spine of people like Turk. Soon he calls that too as smear campaign.
There is so much about retired captain Yaya Jammeh all these beef on him could not be rotten stuff as Turk wants us believe. |
Karamba |
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Momodou
Denmark
11738 Posts |
Posted - 22 Mar 2010 : 13:24:56
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Ex-CDS Tamba, Others Pleaded Not Guilty
By Lamin Njie
The sacked and detained Chief of Defense Staff of The Gambia Armed Forces, Lieutenant-General, Lang Tombong Tamba and others accused of a coup d’etat on Friday 19th March 2010 pleaded not guilty to all the three counts of treason before Justice Emmanuel A Ahmadi of The High Court in Banjul.
The other accused persons are, Brigadier General Ndure Cham, Brigadier General Omar Bun Mbye, Lieutenant Colonel Kawsu Camara (alias Bombardier), Modou Gaye former deputy Inspector General of Police, Gibril Ngorr Secka, Abdoulie Joof (alias Lie Joof), Yousef Ezziden (alias Rambo) and Omar Camara.
Apart from Brigadier General Ndure Cham and Omar Camara who are said to be at large, all the other accused persons were present in court. This therefore prompted the court to expunge their names from the charge sheet until they are apprehended.
The other eight who were in court are charged with the following offences:
Count One: Conspiracy to commit treason contrary to Section 35(1) (G) of the Criminal Code Cap 10 Volume 111 Laws of The Gambia 1990.
The particulars of offence states that the ex-chief of defense staff, Lt-General Lang Tombong Tamba, Brigadier General Ndure Cham, Brigadier General Omar Bun Mbye, Colonel Lamin BO Badjie, Lt-Colonel Kawsu Camara, ex-deputy Inspector General of Police Modou Gaye, Gibril Ngorr Secka, Abdoulie Joof , Yousef Ezziden(alias Rambo),
Omar Camara and others now at large on diverse dates between 1st January and 19th December 2009 at Bijilo and other places, conspired to stage a coup d’etat and overthrow the president, and the democratically elected government of the Republic of The Gambia by force of arms.
Count Two: Treason contrary to section 35 (1) (a) of the Criminal Code Cap 10 Volume 111 Laws of The Gambia 1990.
The particulars of offence stated that the accused persons and others now at large on diverse dates between 1st January and 19th December 2009 procured arms and ammunition, equipment and mercenaries from Guinea Conakry and other places to stage a coup d’etat and overthrow the president and the democratically elected government of the Republic of The Gambia.
Count Three: Treason contrary to Section 35 (1) (d) of the Criminal Code Cap 10, Volume 111 Laws of The Gambia.
The particulars of offence stated that Lt-General Lang Tombong Tamba, Brigadier General Ndure Cham, Brigadier General Omar Bun Mbye, Colonel Lamin BO Badjie, Lt-Colonel Kawsu Camara, ex-deputy Inspector General of Police Modou Gaye, Gibril Ngorr Secka, Yousef Ezziden(alias Rambo) Omar Camara and others now at large on diverse dates between 1st January and 19th December 2009 procured arms and ammunition, equipment and mercenaries from Guinea Conakry and other places to stage a Coup d’etat and overthrow the president and the democratically elected government of the Republic of The Gambia. They all vehemently denied the charges.
Meanwhile, all the accused persons are without counsel except for Abdoulie Joof (alias Lie Joof) and Yousef Ezziden (alias Rambo). Who are represented by Sheriff Tambedou and Hawa Ceesay –Sabally respectively
For the rest of the other accused persons, they informed the court that they would love to have counsels of their choice. If this is not possible then the state has to provide counsels for them. Infact at one point during Friday’s proceeding, the presiding judge justice Emmanuel A. Ahmadi suggested to counsels Hawa Ceesay and Sheriff Tambedou to absorb the other accused persons in other to save time and unnecessary delays during the course of the trial. But in response, Hawa Ceesay-Sabally told the court that it would be ideal if the accused persons are allowed to look for counsel of their choice. Ms Ceesay- Sabally applied to the court to allow his client Yousef Ezziden to be remanded in his home under guard with the expenses to be covered by his family as he is not well. Yousef was at one time heard saying “I am not guilty why am I here, is like a dream to me,” he told the court.
To be bit flexible, the court also ordered that the accused persons be allow having access to counsel and their immediate families. Justice Emmanuel A. Ahmadi expressed his readiness to finish the case in two months time. Saying that the court would be sitting on a daily bases from Monday to Friday except on public holidays.
Amid tight security, all the accused persons were remanded in custody and the case was adjourned to today Monday, March 22nd 2010 pending trial.
Source: DailyNews |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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Momodou
Denmark
11738 Posts |
Posted - 29 Mar 2010 : 22:44:21
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Hawa Sisay-Sibally Grills "Famous" Ebrima Marreh
By: Madi MK Ceesay
The treason trial involving The Gambia’s ex-Chief of Defense Staff Lang Tombong Tamba and seven others on Friday proceeded at High Court as defence Lawyer, Awa Sisay Sabally continued to cross-examine the prime state witness, Mr. Ebrima Marreh.
In a crowded courtroom amid friends and family members mostly in depressed mood Awa Sisay-Sabally representing Mr. Yusuf Ezzedeen, a businessman grilled Mr. Ebrima Marreh, 20, who has become famous overnight.
Below we bring verbatim the questions and answers between the lawyer and the state witness.
Q) In your statement you made reference to Loius Jabbie Gassama
A) Yes.
Q) You also said he was called by phone and asked to be in the Gambia within two to three days.
A) Yes.
Q) Now for which of the meetings was he called?
A) the second meeting.
Q) did he come on schedule?
A) I do not know
Q) Did you see him at the meeting?
A) Yes, at the third meeting
Q) The duration between the second and third meetings was two or three days
A) I do not know.
Q) At this meeting what was your contribution there?
A) My contribution was the assignment given to me.
Q) Did he say anything at the meeting?
A) I can’t remember
Q) Now Marreh when you were interrogated by the panel you never mentioned the 7th and the 8th accused persons?
A) Answer not audible
Q) at the time of the interrogation the 7th and the 8th accused were already arrested
A) before their arrest I was the first person to be interrogated and I mentioned their names
Q) Do you remember the dates?
A) I can’t remember
Q)I am putting it to you that before you faced the panel these people were all arrested, 7th and 8th accused persons.
A) Answer not audible
Q) Do you know that the 8th accused person was released?
A)I am not aware of that
Q) He, the 8th accused was a free man , he was released on 15th February 2009 before midday and was a free man up to 18th March 2010 do you know that? I am putting it to you that the 8th accused was only rearrested after you gave your statement of 8th February 2010.
A) Answer not audible
Q) were you confronted after your statement of 2nd February 2010 in respect of that statement?
A) I can’t remember)I am putting it to you that there were no confrontations after your statement.
A) I can’t remember
Q) you made another statement on 3rd February 2010 is that correct? A) Yes
Q) in that statement you mentioned the 7th accused?
A) Yes.
Q) Were you confronted?
A) I can’t remembered
Q) can you tell the court where the statement was made or recorded?
A) At the NIA
Q) I am putting it to you that the statement of 8th February 2010 was made at the office of the DPP, Ministry of justice, according to your own statement
. Q) In fact can you tell the court why the statement of the 8th February 2010 was made?
A) I mentioned the 2nd, 7th and 8th accused persons names because I realised that there names were not recorded. Then I called on the DG of NIA and explained to him that in my statement the 2nd, 7th, and 8th persons names were not mentioned in my statement and that is why I told him I wanted to write an additional statement. Before writing the statement I was called by DG, he asked whether the 2nd, 7th, and 8th accused person’s names were recorded, I told him no. I saw them with CDS when I went to the NIA offices)
Q) when exactly was this?
A) 8th February 2010.
Q) in your statement of 8/2/10 you mentioned the 2nd , 7th , and 8th accused persons
A) yes, I did mention their names
Q)I am putting it to you that this is not correct
A) I deny
Q) did you have the chance of reading all your statements before signing them?
A) No
Q) Why?
Q) Did you sign them?
A) I thought what I said were written by the writer
Q) so in actual fact you did not write anything?
A) Yes
Q) The one of the 11/2/10 indicated that you were told, that Kukoi Samba Sanyang wants to make a coup and not Lang Tombong Tamba in the Gambia? You also said a meeting was held in Banjul at the office of the IGP, you said you were in that meeting.
The DPP at this juncture interrupted Lawyer Sisay on several occasions. The presiding judge had to strongly intervene by telling the DPP that he must wait until his colleague finished asking her questions, there after he could raise any points of objection.
Q) There was a meeting in the office of the IGP in Banjul, did you say so?
A) Yes
Q) In that meeting you also said the IGP, DGNIA, GES-NIA and others were present in that meeting is that correct?
A) Yes
Q) you also said there was another man present, who is that man?
A) I don’t know the name
Q) were you present at the meeting?
A) Yes Q) at the said meeting were all accused persons present
A) No Q) what was your participation in that meeting?
A) I was sent to listen
Q) Are you an errand boy?
A) of course
Q)I am putting it to you that the statement of 8/2/10 only dealt with accused number 8, and it was only seven lines) but you have already told the court that you have mentioned 2nd, 7th and 8th
A) It was not necessary to mention the 2nd, 7th , and 8th accused persons
Q) it was unnecessary because in your statement of 3/2/10 you had mentioned 2nd , and 7th accused persons
Q) who is Ebrima Ceesay
A) I don’t know him
Q) you said you spent the night in Commander Yorro’s house
A) yes
Q) you had dinner with him?
A) I can’t remember having diner with him)
Q) he dropped you at the border the following day?
A) Yes
Q)I am putting it you that he never dropped you
A) I deny
Q) was there any snap ambush at the boarder?
A) Answer not audible
Q) what happen at the boarder?
A) I can’t remember
Q)I am putting to you that you did not meet anybody at the border.
A) I deny
Q) How did you get to Farafenni?
A) I can’t remember.
At this point the case was adjourned to Monday the 29th March 27, 2010, at 12pm.
Source: Dailynews |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
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Momodou
Denmark
11738 Posts |
Posted - 31 Mar 2010 : 16:32:33
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Some 30, 000 Euros Was Paid To Me
By Lamin Njie
Testifying before Justice Emmanuel Amadi of the High Court in Banjul on Monday March 29, 2010 the second prosecution witness Oussaynou Jabbie (alias) Rui Jabbie Kassama, a Gambian businessman who lives in Guinea Bissau, revealed that he was paid 30, 000 euros by ex-Chief of Defense Staff Lt. Gen. Lang Tombong Tamba and ex-Col. Momodou Lamin Bo Badjie for the purpose of the alleged coup.
He further told the court that ex-CDS Tamba paid him an additional amount of 5, 000 euros as a gift and promised that if he (Rui) helps them to actualize the coup, they will buy him a compound here in The Gambia and Guinea Bissau and help him develop his business.
The witness told the court that he don’t know The Gambia very well now, but said that ex-CDS Tamba picked him from Talinding with a vehicle and drove pass the airport and the army camp before finally entering into the compound of Lang Tombong Tamba. According to the witness, the house of the ex-CDS is a one storey building.
“When I entered the parlour, the light was on my face and I was told to sit down. They told me that I cannot know the other members of the coup unless we overthrew the government of The Gambia. Lang Tombong counted the money and put it the hands of Bo Badjie who gave it to me. And they promised to do more for me if the coup went successful,” he revealed to the court.300 Mercenaries for Invasion
The witness added that afterwards, Lang returned him back to the junction where he was picked. He also said that whiles in Lang’s house, he was introduced to a boy called Ebrima Marreh, the first prosecution witness. Earlier in the day, the witnesses told the court that about 300 mercenaries were to invade The Gambia and out of this 200 are Gambians and the rest are of other nationalities.
The Guinean businessman also revealed that he is a trained military intelligence officer and that he was tasked with training the mercenaries. He said that the accused persons did not know that he was a Gambian because he threw his national identity card and secured that of Guinea Bissau with help of Basirou Darboe, the late former interior minister of Guinea Bissau. Drug Dealer?
Kassama alleged that any drug caught by the government of Guinea Bissau is given to him to sell it. He said that infact Ngor Secka, one of the accused persons bought a kilo of cocaine from him at a cost of 14, 000 euros and later brought him customers.
“And later he (Ngor) once asked me whether I can find arms for them – Kukoi and his team including Lang Tombong and BO Badgie. I told him to wait for a month before I can supply arms to him for the coup d’etat in The Gambia. I contacted a friend called Modou Trawally, a Guinean to find photographs of arms for me so that I can present them to Ngor Secka. I didn’t get the photographs and he Ngor later called me and said is not necessary because they have the arms,”
At this juncture, an objection was raised by one of the defense counsel Pap Cheyasin Secka, saying the statement is hearsay but this was countered by the Director of Public Prosecution, who stressed that the statement is relevant to the trial.
Arms and Ammunitions
The presiding judge overruled the defense’s objection and the witness told the court that he saw the arms which include 4 explosives, mortar 121, mortar 80 and two remote control explosives. The same one that killed the former chief of defense staff of Guinea Bissau, he said.
He added that Ngor now told him that he needs a boat to transport the arms from Guinea Bissau to The Gambia. “I told him that is not a problem. I will get one of my friends, a white man who is selling his boat at a price of 75, 000 euros and his name is called Rui. I later told Ngor that a boat is found and the price is 200, 000 euros. But after bargaining, they agreed to pay 150, 000 euros.
In the morning of the trial, Hawa Sisey-Sabally, defense counsel for Abdoulie Joof (alias Lie Joof) finished her cross examination of the first prosecution witness Ebrima Marreh. He told the court that whatever he said during his testimony is the truth and the whole truth and nothing else. The trial continues.
Source: Dailynews |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
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Momodou
Denmark
11738 Posts |
Posted - 06 Apr 2010 : 18:17:08
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"This whole idea of Coup Plot is not True"
By Saikou Jammeh
A defense lawyer in the on-going high-speed treason trial has taken a snipe at the second state witness, disputing allegations that his clients have planned to overthrow The Gambia’s incumbent government.
Senior lawyer Pap Cheyassin Secka Thursday pounced on Mr. Oussaynou Jabbie alias Rui Jabbie- Gassama during cross-examination as he charged at him that this whole idea of coup plot that he [Mr. Jabbie] alleged is "not true".
Eight high profile Gambians including top security officials and business tycoons are facing three counts of treason before Justice Amadi at the High Court in Banjul. Former Defence and NIA chiefs, Lang Tombong Tamba and Momodou Bo Badjie; Kawsu Camara, a top Army officer; Modou Gaye, former deputy Police chief; Ngor Secka, Yusuf Ezzedeen, Abdoulie Joof, among others are facing charges of treason in courts.
They are alleged to have sometime between November and December of last year, conspired and arranged to oust President Jammeh’s government, the prosecution said.
So far, two state witnesses have testified. Ebrima Marreh, a 20 year old student was the first state witness who said among others, that Lang Tombong sent him to Farrafenni to assess the situation as there were fighters coming; whilst Mr. Jabbie, is being cross-examined. He alleged that the alleged coup plotters tasked him to train 300 mercenaries in "Bambadinka", Guinea Bissau.
"Not true"
"I am putting it to you that that this whole idea of a coup plot is a figment of your imagination; in other words it is not true," Lawyer Secka, counsel for Bo Badjie, Modou Gaye, Gibril Ngorr Secka and Abdoulie Joof, pressed on the witness. Mr. Kujabi insisted: "It is true." Secka charged that, "I am further putting it to you that you cannot produce the slightest evidence to show your false story that you were engaged in training mercenaries for the alleged coup," and Mr. Jabbie said: "Yes."
Amid giggles from the audience in the crowded courtroom, Lawyer Secka at this stage told the Judge that he wished to commend the witness [Mr. Jabbie] for the "first time telling the truth" to the court. "Did you have documents from Lang Tombong Tamba and Modou Bo Badjie engaging you to train mercenaries?" Secka enquired further, but Mr. Kujabi said: "There is no document."
Secka went on: "Did you give any receipt to Lang Tombong when he paid you the 30, 000 Euros for your service?" and again, Mr. Jabbie replied: "I did not give him any receipt."
"I can’t remember"
Most of Lawyer Secka’s questions he fired on the state witness were greeted with "I-cant-remember" responses – a scene that sometimes attracted giggles from the audience.
And "No-Man-Is-Perfect" is the adage he repeated several times waiving his hand in justification for his inability neither to recollect the time he started the training of mercenaries, nor the time it ended.
"When were you arrested in Bissau," Lawyer Secka asked him. "I can’t remember" he replied. Secka further asked: "How many days were you detained". "I can’t remember."
"Do you know which date was last year Tobaski – the so-called ‘Black Friday’, [alleged coup date]" he was asked and again: "I can’t remember," was his response.
Mr. Jabbie does "not remember" when the last Guinea Bissau presidential election was held. And whether or not his "good ally" in the illegal drug business, assassinated Interior minister of Guinea Bissau, late Basiru Darboe, died before or after the election.
Though he fully remembered NIA director general’s name, he did not remember when he made a report to him regarding the alleged coup plot.
"The meetings"
"Ebrima Marreh testified that all the meetings were held in Lang Tombong’s compounds, do you agree," the senior lawyer asked. "He said so, not me," the witness replied. "But you said the first and second meeting was held in Modou Badjie’s compound", Cheyassin asked, and the witnessed answered: "Yes". He added that he cannot remember the intervals of the meetings, but they were held during his two week stay in The Gambia.
Secka also asked: "Do you remember saying that Lang Tombong Tamba introduced you to Ebrima Marreh?" He answered: "Yes." Counsel went on: "In your statement of 23rd December 2009 at NIA, do you remember saying you only knew of Ebrima’s name when you were confronted with it at the NIA?" "Yes. I said so," Jabbie replied.
"Bambadinka"
"Do you know the recent history of Bissau, in particular the bush-war for independence?" "I know it very well," he replied. "Do you know as a result of that, security forces know every inch of that country’s territory?" "Yes I know," he said. "Do you want the court to believe that the security-minded Bissau authorities who know every inch of their territory would fail to know the existence of an unauthorized training lasting for 45 days?" "Yes. I want the court to belief that," the witness said.
This was an interaction between Lawyer Secka and Mr. Jabbie, the witness. Kujabi maintained that Gabriel Ngorr Secka was an intermediary between him, Kukoi, Lang Tamba and Bo Badjie. He said Ngorr brought them food at their training ground at "Bambadinka" every Friday and stayed with them till Sunday. "Are there houses in the bush?" he said, no. But he confirmed that this was during rainy season in Bissau and Ngorr stays under the rain.
Detention in Guinea
Mr. Jabbie said Bissau authorities arrested him on a Saturday, a day before he was to receive the money to pay for the boat that was expected to come to the Gambia. This he added, happened after their training ended.
Jabbie adduced that while in detention in Bissau, a Gambian delegation of investigators visited him. He said they showed him a photo album and he identified two men he was working with in Bissau – Ngorr Secka and Kabiru Saidy – in the presence of Bissau authorities.
"At statehouse"
He said when he came to The Gambia, he reported the matter to one Captain Jallow at Statehouse, but could not remember the time he made this report. Lawyer Secka asked: "As an expert in military intelligence, didn’t you know that Director General of NIA had direct contact with the President?" Jabbie replied: "It used to be, but not now. He asked for an appointment through the Secretary General, to see the President.
Tensions
Day one of week-two of this courtroom saga that has obsessed the nation witnessed growing tensions, especially between the Judge and the defense. "My clients’ necks are at stake," Lawyer Cheyassin told Justice Amadi on numerous times.
These calls came on the heels of many interruptions and sometimes dismissal of his questions posed to the witness. Justice Amadi faulted Counsel Secka for asking "irrelevant, repeated questions", and blamed him for wasting the court’s time.
"You said one of the motives for the alleged plot was because the President was putting women in positions of authority," Jabbie replied, "Yes". Secka asked, "Do you know that Lang Tombong is the 5th holder of that position?" Kujabi said "no."
"Do you know by the time Lang Tombong Tamba took over, the highest position a woman held was a Corporal?" At this juncture Justice Amadi intervened, saying Mr. Jabbie was told of it.
"But the court allowed him to say it here," Secka retorted. "What we are proving is that all what he said here is not true, including what he was told."
Source: Dailynews |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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kobo
United Kingdom
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Momodou
Denmark
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Posted - 08 Apr 2010 : 14:58:05
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Military officer, others testify in treason trial
By Soury Camara
Thursday, April 08, 2010
Baluta Kanyi, a Warrant Officer (WO2) in the Gambia National Army yesterday testified as prosecution witness number four (PW4) in the ongoing treason trial involving Lt. General Lang Tombong Tamba and seven others, at the Banjul High Court.
In his testimony, WO2 Kanyi said that he (PW4) knows four of the accused persons: Lang Tombong Tamba, Omar Bun Mbye, Lamin Bo Badgie and Kawsu Camara, among the eight accused persons.
Mr Kanyi narrated that on the 3rd November 2009, "I received a called from the provost marshal that I (PW4) was to go and de-kit Lang Tombong Tamba (1st accused person)."
According to PW4, a team was then formed comprising ordinates, military police and intelligence officers.
"Major Kuluteh Manneh, 2nd Lieutenant Alhagie Camara and myself went to Lang Tombong's house", he said, and explained to him that their mission was to collect all the military items from him (1st accused person).
PW4 testified that Lang Tombong then went inside and brought the military items, which were all listed down on the de-kit form.
Mr. Kanyi said that when the items were listed on the de-kit form "Major Kuluteh Manneh, 2nd Lieutenant Alhagie Camara and I myself all signed the form, including Lang Tombong Tamba."
Mr Kanyi told the court that the items were later packed, and taken to defence headquarters in Banjul. PW4 also informed the court that "from there we took the items back to the store. But three items were not recovered." He testified that those items include a ceremonial suit, diplomatic passport and military identity card.
PW4 identified the de-kit form that was shown to him in court, and the form was tendered and marked as an exhibit in court without any objection from defence counsel.
Police detective Lamin Cham was another prosecution witness who testified in this trial. He was designated by the court as prosecution witness number five (PW5).
Mr. Cham told the court that he is from Sukuta, and is a police officer with the rank of Detective Inspector, and claimed to know all the accused persons.
According to PW5, "I led a team of security officers who are part of the investigators. I led them to the residence of Lang Tombong in Bijilo and that in Kololi and we conducted a search in both premises."
He added, "We went with ex-CDS himself, and on arrival at 1st accused's Bijilo residence, Lang Tombong led us to his rooms."
Mr. Cham further adduced that Lang Tombong then led them to his bedroom. "We found a carton which the 1st accused claimed was sent to him from his former officer. When we went into the content of the said carton, we discovered about 20 military boots, twelve files with military correspondence, various military ranks, that is, ranging from three captain ranks, two major ranks, one Lt. colonel rank, State Guard emblem, ten ceremonial buttons.
Mr. Cham also told the court that they further proceeded to 1st accused's Kololi residence with Lang Tombong himself. "Lang Tombong led us into the rooms. In one of the rooms where a search was conducted, we found 100 live-rounds of a single-barrel gun, two pairs of British camouflage uniforms, one French green military uniform, ten camouflage short-sleeves of T-shirts, ten other military uniforms, six other inner-shirt of a military uniform, and one military scarf."
PW5 said that all these items were recovered from the 1st accused's Kololi residence, and were taken to NIA headquarters were they are kept in a store.
He testified that the cartons in which these aforementioned items are packed were also labelled as containing items from the former CDS's residence.
According to PW5, the former CDS accepted that the items were from his residence and, as a result, he (the 1st accused) wrote a statement in respect of the said items. He pointed out that the ex-CDS did not explain why those items were there in his house.
"The items in the cartons were kept in the NIA store, and it was not tampered with until yesterday when the cartons were brought to court."
The cartons were tendered without any objection by defence counsel, and marked as exhibits P2 and P2 (a).
When the cartons were admitted, the court ordered that they should be opened, and be inspected by Lang Tombong Tamba.
"Lt General Tamba informed the court that the cartons that contained the items were not from his house."
"I am satisfied with the items found in my house, except for four small cartons marked BB hunting cartridge."
According to the first accused, "those small cartons were not from my residence," he said. "In fact, the witness mentioned single barrel (SB) cartridge," he said, adding that "the single barrel found in my house was packed in one pack and not in pieces."
Lawyer Tambedou, counsel for Lang Tombong Tamba, told the court that this procedure " is not known to me."
"I want the cartons to be tendered and follow by the items in the cartons."
The court was irritated by the objection made by counsel, as the statement made by counsel did not go down well with the court.
Justice Amandi retorted, "Leave me alone. I am guided by God. I know you are a big man; you are the President of the Gambian Bar, but I am not cheating anybody."
At this point, the court requested for the statement that the 1st accused person made in respect of the cartons, and its contents. The statement of the first accused contained "single barrel (SB) cartridge which 1st accused person acquired during his service for hunting purpose."
The witness maintained that four cartons of cartridges were found in the 1st accused person's residence.
Lang Tombong was invited to explain, and he told the court that "I have no cause to disagree, since I surrendered the guns."
The court ruled that in the interest of justice all the items that are in order are marked as exhibit P2(C) and the court marked the disputed four cartons of cartridges as "disputed cartons."
The court further admitted the 1st accused person's witness statement in respect of the two cartons as P2C that was dated 14th January 2010.
Police inspector Sainey Ndure was the 6th prosecution witness (PW6). Mr. Ndure testified that he is a police officer with the rank of an inspector, and claimed to know all the accused persons. According to PW6, he was among the team investigating the alleged coup plot. During the course of the investigation, I obtained cautionary and voluntary statements from Lang Tombong Tamba, Momodou Gaye, Gibriel Ngorr Secka and Yousef Ezzeden at different dates, and the statements were read to the four accused persons."
"On the 21st of November 2009, I obtained the cautionary statement and particulars of Lang Tombong Tamba. It was read to him, in the presence of an independent witness, in the English language."
"I told the 1st accused person that he was not forced to say anything in the statement, and that anything he says may be used against him in court," Mr. Ndure testified.
PW6 told the court that the 1st accused person accepted the statement, and he signed, and the independent witness also signed the cautionary statement.
Inspector Ndure further said that Lang Tombong was also given a cautionary form, and that he (the 1st accused person) wrote his own statement, "which I endorsed."
The statement that PW6 identified in court through his signature was tendered in court without any objection from the defence counsel, and was admitted as an exhibit and marked as P3.
"On the 14th January 2010, I obtained four voluntary statements from Lang Tombong Tamba, after having his particulars. The cautionary wording were read to him (the 1st accused person) to his satisfaction, and he signed. The independent witness also signed the voluntary statement." PW6 told the court that each of the voluntary statements was read to Lang Tombong.
The statements were admitted without objection from the defence counsel for the 1st accused person, and marked as exhibit P4 (a to d).
PW6 also told the court that on the 21st of November 2009, he obtained the cautionary statement and particulars of Momodou Gaye, the 5th accused person, and that it was read to him in the presence of an independent witness in the English language.
"I told the 5th accused person that he was not forced to say anything in the statement and that anything 5th accused says may be used against him in court."
PW6 testified that the 5th accused person accepted the statement, and he signed. The independent witness also signed the cautionary statement.
Inspector Ndure further adduced that Momodou Gaye was also given a cautionary form, and he (the 5th accused person) wrote his own statement, "which I endorsed."
PW6 identified the statement in court through his signature. It was tendered in court without any objection from the defence, and was admitted as an exhibit and marked P4.
PW6 said that on the 14th of January 2010, he obtained two voluntary statements from Momodou Gaye, after having his particulars. The cautionary wordings were read to him (the 5th accused person) to the level of his satisfaction and understanding, and he signed. The independent witness also signed the voluntary statement, he added.
PW6 told the court that each of the voluntary statements was read to Momodou Gaye. The statements were admitted without objection from the defence, and marked as exhibit P6 (a to b).
PW6 told the court that he did the same on 7th January 2010 with Ngorr Secka, the 6th accused person. Inspector Ndure further adduced the 6th accused person was asked to write his own statement. "But the 6th accused person said he is having a bad hand, and that I should write for him (the 6th accused person), "which I did, and I (PW6) endorsed."
PW6 also testified that he went through the same process on 8th December 2009 with Yousef Ezzeden, the 8th accused person, and that they went through the same process.
According to PW6, Yousef Ezzeden wrote his own statement and "I endorsed it ". The statement was identified by PW6 in court through his signature, and was tendered in court without any objection from the defence, admitted as an exhibit and marked P9.
Source: The Point Online |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
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kobo
United Kingdom
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kobo
United Kingdom
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kobo
United Kingdom
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