Two suspected MFDC rebels, Sidat Jarju and Ebrima Colley, yesterday told the Court they were force into giving statements with threats and insults.

Testifying earlier on the trial within trial of two cautionary statements, the 1st accused, Sidat Jarju, told the court that he was threatened to make a statement. He said that when he was brought to the NIA, his name was taken before he was asked as to the time he arrived in the country and why.

Further testifying, the accused told the court that one Edrissa Jobe was dictating him as to what to say in the cautionary statement, adding that officer Salifu Nyang would write whatever Edrissa Jobe dictated. “At the time of making my statements there was no independent witness,” he informed the court. He admitted that it was only one fact he voluntarily gave to officer Nyang, while the rest of the statement was dictated to Officer Nyang by Edrissa Jobe. “I object to the tendering of my statement because I was forced with threats,” he concluded.

Also testifying the 2nd accused, Ebrima Colley, told the court that he too was forced to make a statement. “I made my statements against my will,” the accused told the court, adding that he was dictated by one Musa Kinteh as to what to say in his statements. He said he had no option in the circumstances but to comply with what they wanted him to say.

The independent witness, Tijan Bah, earlier on testified that he had in fact witnessed the obtaining of the cautionary statements from the two accused persons, Sidat Jarju and Ebrima Colley. He countered that the accused persons freely and willingly gave their statements.

Hearing continues today.