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Momodou
Denmark
11717 Posts |
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Momodou
Denmark
11717 Posts |
 Posted - 24 Mar 2010 : 17:01:47
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Ex-CDS Tamba Masterminds The Coup Says First State Witness
By Lamin Njie
Following their plea of not guilty to all the three count charges of treason, the trial of the former chief of defense staff, Lang Tombong Tamba and seven others on Monday 22nd March, 2010 commenced in earnest before Justice Emmanuel Ahmadi of The High Court in Banjul.
In his testimony, the first prosecution witness Ebrima Marreh, a student from Bwiam in the Western Region of The Gambia revealed that the former chief of defense staff is the head of the alleged plot and he was the one who assigned and gave people them tasks to do. Yousef Azziden (alias Rambo) and Abdoulie Joof (alias Lie Joof) were tasked to finance the coup plot he said.
He told the court that he knew some of the accused persons and that he could remember what happened in the year 2009.
Ebrima explained to the court that the former CDS Lang Tombong Tamba, former deputy Inspector General of Police Modou Gaye, Lieutenant-Colonel Kawsu Camara, Brigadier General Omar Bun Mbye, Abdoulie Joof, Yousef Azziden, Ndure Cham and Kukoi Samba Sanyang who are at large conspired to commit a coup plot against the president and the government of the Republic of The Gambia.
He further narrated that these people had series of meetings concerning the coup at the residence of the former CDS residence in Kololi. When asked by the Director of Public Prosecution whether he was present at some of the meetings, he responded "yes I was present. I saw the six accused persons at the meeting. I attended three meetings with them at the house of the former CDS," he told the court.
Principal witness one testified that in the meeting that they held, the issue of the coup was discussed and that the former CSD told him that they sent somebody to Guinea Conakry to bring arms and ammunition for the purpose of the coup plot.
On their roles, the witness said that Lieutenant-Colonel Kawsu Camara (alias Bombardier) who lived at Kanilai was to monitor the president whether he is in or out of the place for the purpose of the coup plot.
"All this happened during the first meeting held at Lang Tombong Tamba’s house," he said. "I was brought by CDS Tamba who explained to me that they wanted to stage a coup plot and one Rui Jabbie Kassama will be coming to The Gambia with the weapons.
At this juncture, the presiding judge adjourned the trial to Tuesday 23rd March 2010.Trial continues.
But earlier in the morning, Hawa Ceesay-Sabally, the counsel for the eighth accused person Yousef Azziden informed the court that she filed a motion urging the court to make an order for the accused to be remanded at his home in Kerr Sering and be allow to have access to only his immediate family on the grounds that the accused person is too ill.
She further submitted that there is no medical evidence to rebut these facts filed before the court.
"Until a person is proven guilty he has to enjoy the rights which he is born with. No amount of criminal law or statutory law can take away those rights from him. It is based on that constitutional guarantee that he has the right to life while standing trial. Where he is now he will not be guaranteed these medical rights which can undermine his health," she submitted.
She further submitted that a case being has been made out for the eighth accused to be re-confined to his house pending the determination of the trial at no expense to the state.
"The law is not a monster, it has a human face. The man is prepared to stand trial. It is on that face that I am urging the court to grant my application," she submitted.
She cited an example in 1994 when some people were detained in their homes though not on health grounds.
She finally submitted that if her application was not granted, her client must be under constant supervision and health care assistance at the infirmary of the prisons.
In reply, the Director of Public Prosecution Richard N. Chenge vehemently opposed the application filed by defense counsel on behalf of the eighth accused person.
"It has no precedence of any kind in The Gambia. What she said about 1994 we are not aware of. The affidavit in support of this does not spell out whether the house of the accused person has security facilities. The offence the accused is facing undermines the security of the state. And two of the suspects are at large; therefore allowing this man to be remanded in his home might be dangerous. He can be communicating with these two suspects on the run," he opposed.
He finally opposed that it is high risk and dangerous for the eighth accused to be remanded at home. He added that the state is ready to take care of him (the accused) at all cost. The defense application is based on speculations and not on facts he said.
The presiding judge at this junction adjourned to Thursday 25th March 2010 for ruling on the submission and counter submission of both the defense and the Director of Public Prosecution on whether the eighth accused person Yousef Azziden should be remanded at his home or not.
Mean while all the accused persons have counsel.
Source: Dailynews
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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Momodou
Denmark
11717 Posts |
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Momodou
Denmark
11717 Posts |
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Momodou
Denmark
11717 Posts |
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Momodou
Denmark
11717 Posts |
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Momodou
Denmark
11717 Posts |
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Momodou
Denmark
11717 Posts |
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Karamba
United Kingdom
3820 Posts |
Posted - 09 Apr 2010 : 22:53:38
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......Being charged for their crime........
"To overthrow the democratically elected government of The Gambia"
Another "democratically elected government of The Gambia" was overthrown on 22 July 1994. That crime is still sitting like an untouched monster. When Lang Tombong and co get finished, it is fairer play to extend the long arm of justice for all other coups and attempted coups. Where will that leave Yaya Jammeh's crime of toppling a democratically elected government of The Gambia? |
Karamba |
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Santanfara
3460 Posts |
Posted - 10 Apr 2010 : 00:03:14
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Karamba quiet a paradox. This is a fascinating contradiction. |
Surah- Ar-Rum 30-22
"And among His signs is the creation of heavens and the earth, and the difference of your languages and colours. verily, in that are indeed signs for men of sound knowledge." Qu'ran
www.suntoumana.blogspot.com |
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Momodou
Denmark
11717 Posts |
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