Detective Lamin Cham, at the Major Crime Unit of The Gambia Police Force yesterday testified in the “voire dire” (trial within a trial”) in the treason trial into the cautionary and voluntary statements obtained from Tamsir Jasseh, Omar Faal Keita and Hon Demba Dem.

The trio are accused of involving in March 2006 abortive coup.

Testifying before Justice Avril Annin Yeboah of the High Court, Detective Cham said he could recall on March 25, 2006, as he was at the NIA Headquarters in Banju as a member of the panel set up to investigate into the foiled coup plot.

According to him, on Day -One, the accused Tamsir Jasseh was brought before the panel for interrogation on his role and knowledge of the coup during which he [Cham] was asked to obtain a statement from the accused.

He continued “I went with him [Tamsir] to another room, with an independent witness in the name of Tijan Bojang, where we all sat down. I introduced Tijan Bojang to him [Tamsir] and asked him whether he is willing to make statement.”

Detective Cham informed the court that Tamsir personally wrote his statement willingly in the presence of an independent witness, who also signed the statement. “I [Cham] also signed as officer recording the statement,” he added.

According to him, on April 6, 2006, Tamsir was again brought before the panel in which he was asked to explain his role in the coup, and a statement to that effect was obtained from him.

Detective Cham told the court that Tamsir wrote two statements- one of which was partially witnessed by an independent witness as he arrived late. .

Omar Faal Keita
Testifying on the case of Omar Faal Keita, the 7th accused person in the foiled coup plot, Detective Cham, said “On 28th March 2006, Omar Faal Keita was brought before the panel, where he was asked to explain his involvement and role in the foiled coup, which he did and I was asked to obtain a statement from him. “I went with him [Omar] to another room in the presence of an independent witness - Babou Loum. I then took the cautionary statement and since the accused could speak in the local languages, I [Cham] wrote his cautionary statement, which was later read to him in the local language he understands before he [Omar] appended his signature on the document. This was also signed by an independent witness- Babou Loum, and by myself as officer recording the statement”.

On April 2, 2006, “ I [Cham] recorded additional statement from Omar Faal Keita. This is because I earlier knew the accused [Omar] as Daniel Faal (Keita), when he appeared before me some years ago in a different case. I then asked why he uses different name, but he promised to explain later.

Demba Dem
Testifying on the case of Former NAM, Demba Dem, the 8th accused person in the foiled coup plot, Detective Cham said “On 30 March 2006, Demba Dem was brought before the panel, where he was asked to explain his involvement and role in the folied coup, which he did and a statement to that effect was also taken from him,” he told the court.

He informed the court that on April 19, 2006, the Office of the Major Crimes Unit of the Police was transferred to State Central Prison to obtain a voluntary statement from all the accused person and several suspects for security reasons.

“At Mile Two I [Cham] obtained voluntary statement from Tamsir Jasseh, Demba Dem, and Omar Faal Keita, and other accused persons, all of whom are currently on trial at the Court Martial in Yundum. All the statements were taken in the presence of Babou Loum, an independent witness.

At this juncture. cautionary statements dated March 25 2006, and April 6, 2006, which were obtained from Tamsir Jassehs were tendered in court and marked as exhibits (MNA-MNB).

In the case of Omar Faal Keita, dated March 28, 2006, and April 2, 2006, the statements were also tendered to the court, but they were objected by Lawyer Jobarteh as, according to him, there are some irregularities, thus casting doubts in the validity of the statements. As a result, it was subsequently over ruled by Justice Yeboah.

The statement obtained on March 30, 2006, from Demba Dem was tendered in court and marked as exhibits MNC-D.

During cross examination by Lawyer Camara, Counsel for Tamsir Jasseh, Detective Cham said, on March 25, 2006, Tamsir Jasseh was brought before the panel, but he did know what actually happen to him as he was inside the room. Asked by Counsel Camara, on the length of his service with the Police, Dectective Cham told the court that he had been with the Police for 15 years.

The trial continues on Wednesday March 7, 2007.