Lt. Col. Vincent Jatta, Five Other Security Officers Released

After more than a year’s detention, Vincent Jatta, former Chief of Defense Staff of The Gambia Armed Forces, Ngorr Secka, former Acting Deputy Director-General of NIA, Baba Saho, former Director of External Security of NIA, Ebrima Camara, former OC of Brikama Police and Sergeant Buba Mendy, all of whom were arrested and detained for their alleged involvement in the March 21st 2006 foiled coup, were released over the weekend following a presidential amnesty, this paper has reliably learnt. Also part of the pardon was Sergeant Buba Jammeh of the elite State Guards, who was arrested in May 2006 in connection with the scandal surrounding the online Freedom Newspaper.

Vincent Jatta, Ngorr Secka and Baba Saho were charged with conspiracy to commit treason under section 35 (G) of the Criminal Procedure Code though they were never brought before a court.

Meanwhile, Abdoulie Kujabi, former Director-General of NIA, Foday Barry, former Director of Internal Security of NIA, Musa Dibba, former Director of Finance of NIA, are still said to be detained in connection with the March 21st 2006 foiled coup.

Up to date, four civilians including Tamsir Jasseh, Alieu Jobe, Demba Dem, and Omar Faal are standing trial for alleged treason in connection with the said March 21st coup attempt.

In an earlier episode of the aftermath of the foiled coup, 10 army officers were on 19th April 2007 convicted and jailed by the verdict of a court martial for their involvement in the foiled coup. They are Capt. Yaya Darboe, Capt. Wassa Camara, Capt. Bunja Darboe and 2nd Lieutenant Pharing Sanyang, who have been sentenced to life imprisonment. Capt. Abdoukarim Jah, Lt. Momodou Alieu Bah and Cpl. Samba Bah were given 25 years jail term while Lance Cpl. Babou Janha, Pt. Alhagie Nying and Capt. Pierre Mendy got 10 years each.

It could be recalled that on 3rd April 2006, The Gambia government reported that five security officers involved in the foiled coup escaped in the process of being transported to Janjanbureh Prison following the somersaulting of the vehicle in which they were travelling. They included Daba Marena, former Director-General of NIA, Lt. Ebrima Lowe, 2nd Lt. Alieu Ceesay, WO2 Alpha Bah and Staff Sergeant Manlafi Corr.

Meanwhile the suspected ring leader and former Chief of Defence staff Col. Ndure Cham is still said to be at large.