Detective Boto Keita of the Major Crime Unit of the Gambia Police Force yesterday testified before Justice Annin-Yeboah of the Banjul High Court on the cautionary statement of the 6th accused Alieu Jobe in the ongoing treason trial.

In his testimony, Detective Keita said he was at the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) on 24 March 2006 as part of the panel set up to investigate the 21 March 2006 abortive coup. He stated that while at the NIA, the 6th accused Alieu Jobe was brought before the panel suspected to be part of the abortive coup and was asked of his involvement and knowledge of the foiled coup.

According to Detective Keita, on 25th March he was instructed to obtain a cautionary statement from the 6th accused Alieu Jobe. He added that he took the accused to a separate room together with an independent witness Babou Loum. He said the accused was cautioned and he chose to write his own statement in the presence of the independent witness. Detective Keita added that the accused signed the statement after he had written it. The independent witness and Detective Keita also signed the statement, Detective Keita said.

According to Detective Keita, on 28 March the 6th accused was once again brought before the panel to clarify questions, which other suspects had raised.

He said after the questioning, he was asked to obtain the statement from the 6th accused. He said he took the statement from the accused, which he did in the presence of the independent witness.

He said the 6th accused Alieu Jobe again chose to write his own statement, which all the three of them signed.

He said the 6th accused was brought yet again on 3 and 6 April 2006 before the panel, where he was further questioned. After that, a statement that he himself wrote was obtained from him. But this time around there was no independent witness present.

He narrated that on 14th April 2006, Alieu Jobe was brought yet once more before the panel where he was questioned. After that, he was instructed to obtain a statement from him. He added that he did so in the presence of an independent witness. According to him, all the three of them signed the statement.

 He said the independent witness Babou Loum is a businessman who operates a video club in Barra. He said the 6th accused Alieu Jobe’s multiple appearances in the panel took place when other suspects such as Tamsir Jasseh, Omar Faal (Keita) and Demba Dem were brought before the panel. He added that Alieu Jobe’s explanation helped the panel to arrest other suspects such as Tamsir Jasseh, Omar Faal Keita and Demba Dem.

He said Alieu Jobe wrote all his statements voluntarily, emphasising that he did so on his own free will.

He said detectives Abdoulie Sowe and Lamin Cham were present when Alieu Jobe gave his statements. He said Mr. Jobe was arrested on 24th March 2006.

Hearing continues today.