Testimony in the mini treason trial continued yesterday before Justice Anin Yeboah at the Banjul High Court, as the trial of the four civilians allegedly involved in the 21st March 2006 foiled resumed before the court.

Under cross-examination by the Defense Counsel lawyer Jobarteh, the state witness, Babou Loum, stated that he was not present when the 6th, 7th and 8th accused persons, Alieu Jobe and Omar Faal Keita and Demba Dem respectively, were arrested and that he did not know the time of their arrest.

In response to a question as to whether he knew where the accused persons were prior to obtaining their cautionary statements, Mr. Loum answered in the negative.

On what time the accused persons made their cautionary statements, he responded that the 6th accused made his cautionary statement in the morning while the 7th accused made his statement in the afternoon. He could however not remember what time the 8th accused, Demba Dem, made his statement. He said he was with Alieu Jobe in the office when he was signing his cautionary statement at the NIA, in the presence of Sgt. Cham, Detective Boto Keita, and Abdoulie Sowe.

He said Omar Faal Keita made three cautionary statements all of which he thumb-printed. He adduced that he was not aware whether between 24th March 2006 and 2nd April 2006, Omar Faal Keita was detained at Mile 2 prison.

He added that when Omar Faal Keita appeared before the investigating panel on the 21st March 2006 foiled coup, he was not present but recollected that at the time Omar Faal Keita was making his statement, there was no lawyer present, as he did not request legal representation.

Still testifying, Mr. Loum adduced that Demba Dem made his cautionary statement on 30th March 2006, at the Major Crime Office at NIA headquarters.

He said at the time Demba Dem was making his statement; he was already under arrest and did not ask for a lawyer to be present. He said Demba Dem’s cautionary statement was recorded for him by Detective Lamin Cham and was read all over to him, adding that the accused was given the opportunity to read his own statement. He said the accused person’s cautionary statement was obtained at NIA while the voluntary statement was obtained at Mile 2 Prisons as the office of the Major Crime Unit had been moved to that venue.

He maintained that all what he said in court was the truth.