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Gambia: NIA Diamond Case Commences Again, Court Interpreter Testifies

Mr. Dodou Manneh, an interpreter at the high court, has, on Thursday 13 September, testified in the protracted criminal case between the state and six ex-officers of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA).

The matter was heard by Principal Magistrate Moses Richards of the Kanifing Magistrates Court. Mr. Manneh told the court that he is a linguist and he is versed in English, Dutch, German, Portuguese, Italian and Korean. He added that he can speak other languages as well. He said he had been in the service for 23 years. Mr. Manneh told the court that he was given a document by lawyer Borry S. Touray who asked him to translate it from German into English. When the document was shown to him, he said he recognised the said document. The state counsel A.S Umar wanted to tender the same document but it was objected to by defence counsel Lamin S. Jobarteh who argued that any document processed by computer needs to be certified. His objection was overruled and the document was admitted in evidence and marked as an exhibit.

During cross examination, Mr. Manneh said he graduated from Crab Island Secondary School and proceeded to Amsterdam Free University where he graduated as a linguist in 1974. When asked whether he could produce his university certificate in court, he said he lost the certificate i at sea, in Italy, when he was sailing as a sailor. He said their boat sunk and he eventually lost all his documents. Counsel Jobarteh put it to him that one year at the university would not guarantee him to be a linguist. Mr. Manneh said he is a linguist and that it is a natural gift to him. He said he did not study or read German at school but that he taught himself to read and write German during his stay in Germany. He said he is fluent in German but not as the native speaker. Mr. Manneh indicated that after the translation of the document from German to English language he gave it back to Mr. Borry S. Touray. He said he had never met the two Germans.

The six ex-NIA officers, Lamin Drammeh, Lamin Sanneh, Fabakary Barrow, Kajali Jawara, Basiru Jabang and Salimina Drammeh are standing trial for alleged negligence of official duties, abuse of office and theft. They are alleged to have robbed two German nationals of their money and properties the sum of 206, 000 US dollars, eight (8) pieces of raw diamond, two Nokia cell phones and a shaving machine.