Salifu Nyang, a Police Detective at the Kairaba Police Station, yesterday, made some startling revelations in the on-going terrorism case involving nine members of the MFDC, a movement of rebel forces in the Senegalese southern region of Casamance, who are standing trial on terrorism charges, at the Banjul Magistrates’ Court.

In a three-hour testimony before Principal Magistrate BY Camara, Detective Nyang told the court that he was asked by the Crime Management Coordinator (CMC) to join the panel of investigators, comprising personnel from the military, police and National Intelligence Agency (NIA) to investigate the illegal activities of Casamance rebels in the country.

According to Detective Nyang, Sidat Jarjue, the first accused person confirmed to the panel of investigators at the NIA headquarters that, he is a Senegalese national from Casamance.

Nyang added that Jarjue further told the panel of investigators that he has a Gambian national identity card which legalised his stay in the country.

The Police Detective further revealed that during the course of their interrogation, Jarjue also informed the panel that they were given CFA 3 million monthly by the Senegalese government through one Abdou Latif Hydara who works at the Office of the Senegalese President.

He added that Sidat Jarjue also told the investigation panel that they used to meet Abdou Latif Hydara and three security officers at Prime Motel in Serrekunda to collect the money.

He further told the court that the panel further showed Sidat Jarjue a bag containing charms, a labtop, a photo camera, cash book, three motor bicycles, CFA 7,790,000 and Euro 1,000 which were found in the possesion of the accused at the time of their arrest. 
Detective Nyang went on to state that Mr Jarjue had failed to comment on the items, but informed them that the monies given to them by the Senegalese government were meant to support their activities.

Nyang disclosed that Sidat confirmed to the investigation panel that he is a member of the MFDC rebels in Casamance.
“I then escorted Mr Jarjue to the Saffie Deen Photo Lab in Serrekunda London Corner, where they developed and printed the film in the photo camera, containing images of security installations around the country, including the State House and Fajara Barracks gates,” Detective Nyang revealed.      
   
Detectve Nyang told the cout that he then asked Mr Jarjue to make a statement, which he (Jarjue) consented to, resulting in cautionary and voluntary statements in the presence of an independent witness, Tijan Bah, a retired postmaster.

Detective Nyang also told the court that EbrimaViex Colley told the investigation panel that he is from Casamance but has a Gambian identity card.  Nyang said Colley also confirmed that the monies were given to them by the Senegalese government.
“I recorded his statement after he was interrogated on three occasions,” Detective Nyang told the court.

The witness further reiterated that Lamin Taiwo Sambou also admitted that he was allocated one of the motorbicycles by the group to facilitate his movement in the country. He said Mr Sambou confirmed to the panel of  investigators that he is a member of the MFDC, but declined to comment on the items found in their possesion.

Detective Nyang confirmed in the court that Ansumana Jarjue, also made similar statements before the panel of investigators.

Meanwhile, Sidat Jarjue, Ebrima Viex Colley, Ansumana Jarjue and Lamin Sambou, objected to having their cautionary and voluntary statements tendered in court as evidence, saying that the statements were obtained under duress. The case continues today.