The trial of the nine alleged MFDC rebels from the Southern Senegalese region of Casamance continued yesterday at the Banjul Magistrates’ Court presided over by Magistrate Kayode.

Testifying, detective officer Amadou Sanyang revealed that he got to know Sam Kambai in the course of investigation into the alleged MFDC rebels’ activities in The Gambia, adding that Sam Kambai was a soldier in The Gambia National Army. He said Sam Kambai was invited for questioning because his name appeared in the record book of the accused persons.

Officer Sanyang further revealed that during the interrogation Sam Kambai informed the investigators that his name appeared in the record book of the accused through Hatab Jatta who is the leader of the group of five. He said Sam Kambai also told the investigators that he stole the military items from Yundum Barracks and sold them to Hatab Jatta.

Also testifying, Sarjo Kuyateh, told the court that he is the Senegambia Tourist taxi controller. He said he knows the 8th accused person, Abdou Salam Jammeh, as they are neighbours in Brikama. He said he was once sick and was cared for by the accused Abdou Salam Jammeh. He revealed that one day the accused enquired from him whether he had seen anyone who have guns for sale, to which he replied in the negative. He narrated that one day while at his workplace one Mr. Conteh told him that he had a gun for sale and he informed the accused accordingly.

Mr. Kuyateh further adduced that he and the accused together with other two people met Mr. Conteh in Brufut where Mr. Conteh and the 8th accused discussed and agreed at a price of D3000, which the 8th accused paid for.

He stated that after some months he was arrested by the police and taken to Brikama police station and to the NIA. He said Kemo Conteh was also arrested and taken to the NIA.

Case adjourned to the 26th of March 2008 for the defence case to open.