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Gambia: I was in Jenoi on 21 March – Demba Dem Testifies

Demba Dem, the 8th accused in the ongoing treason trial on the alleged 21st March 2006 foiled coup, yesterday told the High Court before Justice Anin Yeboah that on 21 March, he was in Jenoi attending a workshop.

Continuing his testimony, former Niani parliamentarian stated that the signature on the first page of his cautionary statement was his, but denied the signature on page 2 and 3 as his. He entirely denied signing the voluntary statement, for the first time in court. He said he agreed to signing on the first page of his cautionary statement because they threatened to cut off his hand if he failed to sign. He said the other signatures on both the cautionary and voluntary statements were not distinctive enough for anybody to read the letters. The former parliamentarian maintained that the signatures did not look like his.

Under cross-examination by the Director of Public Prosecution, Emmanuel Fagbenle, the 8th accused said he did not know detective Lamin Cham before and had never met him prior to 30 March when he made his cautionary statement. He responded that there was nothing that he was unable to tell the investigating panel when he appeared before it.

He said when Lamin Cham asked him to narrate what he knew about the foiled coup, he told him that he knew nothing. As to what he told the panel, the 8th  accused responded that he had never said anything before the panel, apart from denying the allegation. He said he knew the 6th accused, Alieu Jobe, since childhood, but denied either knowing Fatou Jobe or meeting her at Gambia College. As to whether he called anybody whom he was supposed to be with at Jarra to serve as a witness for him during the investigation into the alleged foiled coup plot, he replied in the negative. He admitted knowing one Alhagie Gaye, but denied knowing Ousman Badjie. He said between January and March 2006, he could not remember how many times he met Alieu Jobe. He also denied visiting Sokone village, adding that he appeared before detective Lamin Cham on the 30th March 2006, but detective Lamin Cham never beat him nor insulted him.

He adduced that when he was arrested he was put in a cell for three hours before taken to the NIA office. He maintained that the shirt he wore on that day was the one tendered in court as exhibit.

He said he did not tell Lamin Cham that he was in Jarra, but told the panel. He said between 21-22 March 2006, he was attending a workshop at Jarra Jenoi Agricultural Training Centre. As to whether he had any documents to contradict the signature on both the cautionary and voluntary statements, he said all his documents were taken from him.

Hearing continues today.