Babou Loum, a video operator and a residents of Barra in North Bank Region, has testified in the mini-trial of the ongoing treason case, into the cautionary and voluntary statements obtained from Tamsir Jasseh, former Director of the Gambia Immigration Department, Omar Faal Keita, a marabout, and Demba Dem, former NAM for Niani in CRR.

Appearing before Justice Avril Annin Yeboah of the Banjul High Court yesterday, Mr Loum, the third principal witness in the mini-trial recalled that on 6 April 2006, he received a telephone call from one Sergeant Ndure to report to the NIA Headquarters to serve as a witness in the process of obtaining cautionary statements from Tamsir Jasseh, the fifth accused.

He told the court that he could not catch the first ferry, but managed to arrived in Banjul around 12:00 p m. “Upon my arrival at the NIA Headquarters, I met officers on guard at the gate, whom I asked for Sgt Ndure,” he said, adding that he was then escorted inside the premises of the NIA Headquarters, where he was introduced to one Sgt Cham by Sgt Ndure. He said Sgt Cham introduced him to Tamsir Jasseh as an independent witness. According to him, Sgt Cham reminded Jasseh that he was going to write his statement on what he (Jasseh) knew about the foiled coupe plot. He also informed the court that Mr Jasseh further said the statement will be obtained without duress, to which Jasseh agreed.

He said he then interpreted the same words to Jasseh in Wollof language, who appended his signature on the cautionary statement, before he countersigned as an independent witness. He then recognised the statement in question, before it was marked as an exhibit.

Omar Faal Keita
In the case of Omar Faal Keita, the seventh accused, Mr Loum said on 28 March 2006, while at Barra he received another telephone call from Sgt Ndure, who requested him to report to the NIA Headquarters to serve as an independent witness for Alieu Jobe, the six accused person and Omar Faal keita, the seven accused person.
“I joined the first ferry to Banjul, from where I went to the NIA Headquarters,” he said, adding that upon arrival, he identified himself and explained his mission to the guards at the gate, before he was escorted inside. According to him, he met Police Detectives Boto Keita, Abdoulie Sowe, and Lamin Cham, before the accused Omar Faal Keita was brought into the NIA office in the afternoon.
However, he told the court that he could not recall the exact time, he was brought in. He said he was introduced to Omar Faal Keita. He said it was Keita asked Detective Cham to write his statement, as he narrated his knowledge about the foiled coup plot. “When Cham finished writing the statement, it was read to Omar Faal Keita Wollof and Mandinka languages, as well as English, until he was satisfied,” he added. At the court, Mr Loum identified the cautionary statement in question and it was marked as exhibit.
He then continued: “On 2 April 2006, Omar Faal Keita made additional statement on which I was asked to be a witness. After the statement was taken, Omar Faal Keita and I jointly appended our signatures.” According to him, the reason for the additional statement was because he (Loum) was arrived late when the first statement was taken from the accused.

Demba Dem

Testifying in the case of Demba Dem, Mr Loum, a state witness, said on 31 March 2006, he received another telephone call from the same Sgt Ndure to report to the NIA Headquarters to serve as an independent witness for the accused.
According to him, upon arrival at the NIA Headquarters, he was escorted by one of the officers inside the premises, before he was introduced to Demba Dem. “Demba Dem was informed to narrate what he knew about the foiled coup. He told Sgt Ndure to write his statement for him, while he dictates. I also informed him that he is asked to narrate only what he knew as there is no force in the process,” he said.
He then added: “On 19 April 2006, I witnessed another process of obtaining voluntary statements from all the accused persons at the State Central Prisons at Mile II.Upon my arrival there, I met Sgt Ndure, Detectives Lamin Cham, Abdoulie Sowe, and Boto Keita.” He said he was introduced to the accused persons, they came forward one at time to make their voluntary statements. He then identified the said voluntary statements, which were marked as exhibits. After his testimony, Mr Loum was subjected to vigorous cross examination by Defence Counsel Lamin Camara, who represents Tamsir Jasseh in the trial.

The trial was adjourned to April 25 for continuation.