As the defence open their case in the on-going Court Martial currently taking place at the Yundum Military Barracks, 2nd Lt Pharing Sanyang, the 4th accused person and the second defence witness on Friday, testified before Justice Akomaye Agim.

In his testimony, 2nd Lt Pharing Sanyang told the court that he is a resident of Sinchu Baliya and is a military officer by profession. He told the court that he is aware of charges against him.

2nd Lt Sanyang further stated that it was on 1st March 1991 that he joined the military services and rose through the ranks to become a 2nd Lieutenant.

On the 21st March 2006, he said whilst in his office at State House his battalion Commander, Captain Famara Jammeh informed him that he received information that there were people trying to overthrow the government. “Then I asked him who told you that and he (Famara) said he received a call from one W02 Gibba of the Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) that there were people trying to plot a coup against the government,” he explained to the court.

According to the 2nd Lieutenant, he asked Captain Famara Jammeh to try and get in touch with their Commander, Cpt Serign Modou Njie, State Guard Commander, now a Major. He narrated that he contacted him through his office line, but to no avail. “But, later tried and got him and then asked him whether Cpt Famara Jammeh had explained to him what was actually going on. He then reply in the positive and explained that he was given a brief explanation.

According to him, his Commander then asked him to meet him at State House as he was around Serrekunda Market. “Then I told him I am also going to collect my rifle and other military gears from my house, which I did. After collecting them, I went back to State House,” he told the court.

Upon arrival at State House, he said his Commander Cpt Njie, now a Major gave him a battalion and asked him to go to the Airport, before the arrival of the President.

According to him, he took his military equipment, plus ammunitions that were supposed to be used for the operation. “But, after checking them up, I realised that they were indeed wrong ammunition, signed by his Platoon Sergeant, Sainey Camara, as well as expired explosions and Rocket Propel Grenades (RPG)”. “I pointed out for them to be charged by the Sergeant, after which I instructed my men to go, all of whom responded yes we are,” he narrated.

He told the court that from there they boarded a vehicle for the Airport at around 6pm where he tested his radios for communication which, he added, failed to work, due to the weaknesses of the batteries.

According to him, he then called his younger brother Bakary Sanyang, now in UK to collect money from his briefcase, and buy eight scratch cards, including one Africell which, he later distributed among his platoon so as to communicate.

Thereafter, he explained that he tasked the various groups to take up their responsibilities until when he received a call from his Commander, enquiring about the situation at the airport.

Accordingly, he further asked him whether he (2nd Lt Pharing Sanyang) could control the tower to ban any flight from landing until such a time that they would be in the position to know the situation of the President’s flight, but his Commander (major NJie) told him to wait for his orders.

He further told the court that the President arrived at around 11pm to 12am, when he went to see him at the foot of the aircraft, together with his Commander who then arrived, and they left for State House.

Furthermore, he said his Commander later call him from State House, informing him to hold the ground for the next 48 hours. “So I was at the Airport until the early hours of the morning of the 22nd March 2006, when the then Lt Musa Jammeh, alias, Malia Mungu came with Lt Alieu Ceesay and two other Sergeants- Sulayman Badjie and Buba Badjie, respectively, saying “they have come to change me, due to my health conditions as I was just from operations.”

He further indicated that Lt Ceesay then took over and he joined the vehicle, together with Lt. Musa Jammeh, and the two sergeants, and then drove away. He said as they reached Mile Two, Lt. Jammeh asked the driver to drive into Mile Two where he was asked by Lt. Jammeh to hand over his rifle and other materials. “I asked him why, he replied that I was under arrest and I complied,” he narrated.

He said Lt Jammeh then called some soldiers; namely Lance Corporal Malick Jatta, Corporal Ismaila Jammeh, Private Alieu Jeng and Private Macheal Jatta to take him away and punish him as he had some connections with the coup.

“There Malick Jatta told me yesterday was your day, but today is my day. I then asked him how can a Lance Corporal talk to him like that”, he concluded. The sitting continues.