Islamic Teacher, Others Testify

Mr Ousman Sey, an Islamic teacher, told the court during his testimony that he knew the 6th accused person, Alieu Jobe, whom he identified in court as hearing in the treason trial on the 21st March foiled coup involving four civilians continued before Justice Anin Yeboah of the High Court.

Mr Sey adduced that on 21st March 2006, on a Tuesday night, Alieu Jobe came to his compound and asked him whether he knew what was happing in the country, disclosing that he replied in the negative. He said when he enquired from Alieu Jobe as to what was happening, Alieu Jobe told him that some soldiers led by Col Ndure Cham, were about to overthrow the government. He said he asked Alieu what the problem was since he (Alieu), was not involved, adding that he noticed a worried expression on Alieu Jobe. He said Alieu Jobe at length received a call and then drove off, promising to return.

He further testified that the following day Alieu Jobe called him while he was on his way to school. He said when he arrived at the school, he called Alieu Jobe who told him that he was at the office. He said he asked Alieu Jobe where the Cham he was talking about was and he told him that he had had a sleepless night because of the problem, adding that he asked Alieu Jobe to tell the truth.
He said Alieu Jobe told him that some of his friends were arrested and that he was getting more and more worried. Alieu Jobe, he continued, told him that he was embroiled into the problem by his Marabout, one Cherno Barry, adding that he advised Alieu Jobe to keep away from marabouts because they would only mislead him. He said he advised Alieu to ask the said Cherno Barry to extricate him from the problem he was in. He said he was arrested on 28th March 2006, and made his statement the same day. He said he was not beaten though still under detention.

Also testifying, Staff Sgt Dam Jobe told the court that on 21st March 2006, he was on duty at the 1st Infantry Battalion, Yundum barracks when Lt. Savage gave him a bunch of keys for onward delivery to the 2nd accused, Capt. Yaya Darboe. He said he handed over the keys to the wife as he did not meet Capt. Darboe, adding that Capt. Yaya Darboe later confirmed receiving the keys from the wife after a phone call made by Lt Savage. He affirmed that the 2nd accused is currently standing trial at the court martial in connection to the attempted coup.