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Tamsir Jasseh Speaks As 21 March Treason Trial Continues

Tamsir Jasseh, the 6th accused in the ongoing treason trial on the alleged 21st March 2006 foiled coup, yesterday told the High Court preside over by Justice Anin-Yeboah, that he made his cautionary statement under distress and threats.

Testifying in the trial within trial on his cautionary statement, 6th accused Tamsir Jasseh said that out of fear of his life, he had comply to make a statement. He said he was forced to give statement against his will. He stated that he was arrested on 24th March 2006, at his residence in Kotu, adding that moments before his arrest, he heard knocks on his gate and, even before the gate was opened, armed soldiers started to jump into the compound amidst gunshots into the air. He said one soldier armed with AK47 identified himself as WO2 Tumbul Tamba. He adduced that after his Nigerian watchman was beaten up by the soldiers, Tumbul Tamba told him that he was under arrest. He added that he was taken directly to the maximum security wing of Mile 2 Central prisons where he was put in a cell.

Further testifying, Mr Jasseh stated that at around 3:00 am, he was woken up by WO 2 Omar Colley who handed him over to some armed soldiers clad in black uniform. He said he was handcuffed and made to lie down face up in a pick-up vehicle and was driven to the NIA headquarters in Banjul, where he was taken to a room crowded with people. He adduced that one Musa Jammeh asked him about his knowledge of the alleged foiled coup, saying that he responded that he knew nothing about the coup. He said after several attempts to make him comment about the coup, the panel told him what he was supposed to know about the foiled coup.

He related that the panel posed several questions to him, adding that he was subsequently taken to a room where Mr Hydara of NIA met him. He disclosed that when he asked Mr Hydara about what the matter was he told him that news of coup plot had reached the president.

He further stated that when he refused to make a statement, Hydara told the soldiers to take him away, and as he was going downstairs, a plastic bag was placed over his head while his hand were cuffed. He said he was taken behind the building and made to kneel down. He added that it was in that posture that the soldiers started beating him and pouring cold water on him.

Mr Jasseh narrated that the beating lasted between 20 and 25 minutes after which he was asked whether any of the cabinet members was involved and the former Speaker, Sherriff Mustapha. He said after the beating he was taken upstairs again, where Cpl Malick Jatta trained a 9mm pistol at him and asked whether he thought he was in the United States. He said from that point he felt coerced to write what the panel wanted him to write. He said Detective Lamin Cham obtained his statements.

He identified the cautionary statement he made on 25th March 2006, adding that there was no independent witness present. He said he was taken to the NIA several times, escorted by armed soldiers on all occasions. He said he was later collected from Mile 2 and driven to his residence where his vehicle was confiscated. On 22nd June 2006, he continued, he was asked to copy the statement he had made earlier on 6th April 2006, saying that upon arrival at the NIA headquarters at a later date, he found Sherriff Mustapha Dibba, Mr Jawla and his lawyer, Mariama Denton, adding that Mrs Denton was under arrest. He testified that when he was "asked to write about them he refused." He said WO 2 Jabang and Hydara told him to make additional statements failing which he would be taken out and soldiers would take over from them, telling him he knows what that would mean for him. He said he complied and made additional statements. He added that after making him to read his first statement for five times, he was showed on GRTS TV and asked to narrate all what he knew about the foiled coup, adding that he refused but was forced.

He said among those present in the room were Musa Jammeh, the late Tumbul Tamba, Hydara and Harry Sambou, former Director-General of NIA.