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Momodou
Denmark
11828 Posts |
 Posted - 18 May 2006 : 02:31:29
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Alleged Coupists In Court
By Surakata Danso
The alleged coup plotters were on Wednesday arraigned before Justice Monagen of the Banjul High Court. Family members and friends who were enthusiastic to see their relatives came to court in the morning and waited for the prison wardens to bring the detainees. They were brought to the court yard on board two trucks under heavy security escort by soldiers, prison officers and the Police Intervention Unit personnel, some of whom were armed to the teeth. As soon as they disembarked from the vehicle, they were escorted to Justice Monagen's Courtroom. However, before the arrival of the Judge, the spectators were asked to go to another court, the change of venue was spurred by the number of people who came to witness the proceedings.
When the case was called, the following names were called as the accused persons;
Capt. Bunja Darboe , Capt. Yaya Darboe,Tamsir Jasseh, Capt. Abdourahman Jah, Capt. Wassa Camara,Capt. Pierre Mendy, Lt. Momodou .A. Bah, 2nd Lt. Pharing Sanyang, Cpl. Babou Janha, Samba Bah, Alhagy Nying, Hamadi Sowe, Mustapha Lowe, Omar Faal, Alieu Jobe, Demba Dem, MP for Niani.
From an eye witness's account, only the former Army PRO Captain Bunja Darboe had a noticeable physical health problem. He had his left hand wrapped in plaster of paris (POP). It was clear that the rest of the accused persons did not have legal representation due to lack of access to family members, as claimed by Captains Bunja Darboe and Wassa Camara, who spoke on behalf of the other accused persons. Captain Bunja Darboe, Captain Pierre Mendy, and Captain Abdourahman Jah, were represented by Lawyer Lamin Camara, Alieu Jobe, the former Accountant General was represented by Borry Touray and finally the second and the fifteenth accused persons were represented by Sainabou Wadda.
The Judge made the following ruling:
(1) That each of the accused persons should identify the names of family members who will visit them, and give those names to the prison authorities
(2) to allow counsels of the accused persons to have access to their clients.
(3) on the presence of the accused persons in court, Justice Monagen indicated that she is constrained to make an order banning the armed security men inside the court. She said granting such an order will be like interfering with the functions of other organs. She said she believed that the security personal are professionals.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 37/2006, 15-17 May, 2006
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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