Col Lang Tombong Tamba, Chief of Defense Staff of he Gambia Armed Forces (GAF), yesterday, testified in the treason trial involving Tamsir Jasseh, former Director General of Immigration, Alieu Jobe, former Director of Treasury, Omar Keita, a marabout, Demba Dem, former NAM for Niani, Central River Region.

Appearing before Justice Annin-Yeboah of the High Court, Col Tamba told the court that he was the Deputy Chief of Defense of GAF, as of 21st March 2006. He confirmed to the court that he knew Corporal Mbaye, who was an officer at the Supply and Transport Unit of GAF.

Col Tamba recalled that on 21st March 2006, after closing from work, he received a telephone call from Corporal Mbaye, who suggested to him to cancel his supposed travel, indicating that he (Corporal Mbaye) has an urgent information for him. “I then asked him about the urgent information that he got for me. He later revealed to me that he was told that Col Ndure Cham, Former Chief of Defense Staff of GAF, had planned a coup plot against President Yahya AJJ Jammeh’s government,” he said.

According to the GAF Chief, he then asked Corporal Mbaye to “quickly come” to his residence at Mile 7, before he called on Lt Badjie. He said Corporal Mbaye told them that he (Corporal Mbaye learned about a planned coup against the Government of The Gambia, when he was in Col Ndure Cham's office.

According to him, Corporal Mbaye further told them that he (Corporal Mbaye) left for Cpt Bunja Darboe’s office, as Col Ndure Cham was about to attend the National Security Council meeting. “Corporal Mbaye later revealed to me that Col Ndure Cham told him that, they are going to overthrow President Jammeh’s government and therefore, needed his support to be part of the plotters. But corporal Mbaye disagreed to be part of them,” Col Tamba said.

The GAF CDS Tamba said Corporal Mbaye also informed him that he received a telephone call from Col Ndure Cham at around 5:00 p m, who invited him to his residence to further discuss the coup plan. Col Tamba disclosed that he gave a tape recorder to Corporal Mbaye, before he left for Col Ndure Cham’s residence.
He added that Corporal Mbaye returned to his (col Tamba) residence with the tape recorder at Mile 7, after his meetings with Col Ndure Cham. He said the cassette was played in the presence of himself, Lt Badjie and Corporal Mbaye.

Col Tamba said he then called Ousman Sonko, former IGP, Cpt Shereign Modou Njie, Commanding Officer at State Guards, and Cpt Ousman Badjie, Commander of GAF Training School, where they all listened to the cassette and planned an operation to arrest Cpt Bunja Darboe.
“An investigation panel was instituted by myself to further investigate and arrest all those involved. This 13 -member panel comprised, members of the Armed Forces, Police and NIA,” Col Tamba said. He then added: “The 13 members of the panel included, Momodou Hydara, Demba Sowe, Malamin Ceesay, Nfally Jabang, Boto Keita, Yusupha Faye, Ousman Bojang, Malick Ceesay, Lamin Tambajang, Abdoulie Sowe and Lamin Lowe.”
Col Tamba said a report was submitted to the court, after the completion of the investigations on the planned coup. When asked about the whereabouts of Cpt Bunja Darboe, Col Tamba said Cpt Darboe was facing the Military Court Martial at the Yundum Military Barracks.
He said officers, who are involved in the foiled coup were facing trials at the Yundum Military Barracks, while civilians are tried at the civil courts.

Testifying earlier, Mariama Denton, a private legal practitioner, confirmed to the court that she knew Tamsir Jassey. She said on March 21 2006, while at her residence in Churchill’s Town, Tamsir Jasseh came to her home. “Tamsir Jasseh told me that, he had taken Col Ndure Cham to the border. I then told him that what he (Jasseh ) did was very serious,” She said.

According to her, she told Tamsir Jasseh to see the authorities. She said few days later, she learned that Tamsir Jasseh was arrested. The trial continues its sitting on January 17.