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More revelations at Court Martial
Four state witnesses, on Friday, testified before the Court Martial, presided over by Justice Akomaye Agim, in connection with the March 21st foiled coup plot, led by Colonel Ndure Cham, ex-Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of the Gambia Armed Forces (GAF).
Three of the four state witnesses were Staff Sergeant Dam Jobe, Major Ebrima Bah, Corporal Ajuma Camara - all members of the GAF, attached to the 1st Infantry Battalion (Yundum Barracks). The fouth witness was Boto Keita, a Police Detective at the Major Crime Unit of the Police Headquarters in Banjul.
In his testimony, Major Bah recalled that on 20th March 2006, while on duty, the second accused person, Captain Yaya Darboe, walked into his office and informed him about an instruction by Col Ndure Cham for him (Cpt Yahya Darboe) to report at the Yundum Military Barracks. Major Bah said this prodded him to call the former CDS (Col Ndure Cham), who confirmed the matter, in an aggressive voice. Major Bah told the court that he was surprised, because the decision was not in accordance with the laid down procedures on transfer of officers.
The second state witness, Staff Sergeant Dam Jobe, recalled on 21th March 2006, while on duty at the Yundum Military Barracks, one Lieutenant Savage asked him about the resident of Captain Yaya Darboe, the second accused person. To this, Staff Sergeant Jobe said he replied in the negative. He added that Lieutenant Savage told him to take a bunch of keys of the armoury to Captain Yaya Darboe, accompanied by a driver, Lieutenant Colley, who knew where Captain Yaya Darboe lived.
He told the Court Martial that, when they reached at the residence, he met Captain Yaya Darboe’s wife, who informed them that her husband had gone out. He said he then handed over the keys to the amoury to the wife, for Captain Darboe, when he returned.
According to Staff Sergeant Jobe, he then left for Yundum Barracks, where he reported to Lieutenant Savage, who later called and spoke with Captain Darboes himself and “confirmed that he had received” the keys from his wife.
Corporal Ajuma Camara, Officer of GAF, said on March 21st, while on duty at the Abuko Earth Station as the Commanding Officer, Captain Wassa Camara, the 3rd accused person, came there on several occasions, asking for Mr Njie, General Manager of Abuko Earth Station.
According to Corporal Camara, he informed his seniors at the Yundum Barracks about Captain Wassa Camara’s frequent visit to Abuko Earth Station, when he heard the news on the foiled coup plot.
Boto Keita, a Police Detective, told the Court Martial that, on March 21st 2006, his superior Malafi Ceesay, called him to report the headquarters. He said upon arrival, Mr Ceesay informed him about a foiled coup plot and that a panel was to be set up to investigate the matter. According to Boto Keita, his boss told him that he (Boto Keita) was a member of the panel at the National Intelligence Agency.
The Police Detective said that the first person to appear before the panel of investigators was Captain Bunja Darboe, first accused person. He said Captain Darboe was asked about his role, knowledge and involvement in the foiled coup plot. He said he took the cautionary statement from Captain Bunja Darboe in the present of Tijan Bojang, an Independent Witness, at a separate office.
The team of defence counsel had subjected the state witness to a marathon of cross examinations.
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