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Gambia: Marabout Cross-Examined

Omar Faal Keita, the seventh accused person in the treason trial of the March 2006 attempted coup plot, in a cross-examination, on Thursday, May 17, at the High Court testified that he did not recognise any of the exhibits (statements) given to him.

Faal told the court that he did not write any of the statements, alleging that it was prepared by Lamin Cham, a detective officer.

Asked by the prosecutor, E. Fagbenle whether he signed the statements, he said that he refused to sign the statements because he did not know what it contained.

Omar Faal also said that he does not think a thumb print on one of the statements is his. He added that, that night when he returned from the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) he could not open his eyes due to beatings.

Questioned on how long he was with the detective officer, he said he does not know how long he was with Detective Cham since he did not have a watch with him then.

The Marabout went on to say that his 500 pounds seized at the NIA was given to him by a British lady, Saida.

When it was put to him that he was working for a Bishop in Banjul, the accused person denied ever working for a Bishop in Banjul. He also denied that he was Daniel Keita. He added that he was never arrested over missing church money meant for depositing in a bank.

When asked about any medical paper of his scars, Faal said he does not have any medical certificate on the injuries he allegedly sustained from torture.

He said that he did not quarrel nor fight with any of the people who arrested him. Faal narrated that he told the investigative panel that he does not know anything about the alleged coup d'etat, and that he told them he was at the Magal of Touba when the coup happened.

He said that no lawyer was present at the panel.