In treason trial Detective Boto Keita appears

Detective Boto Keita of the Major Crime Unit of the Gambia Police Force, yesterday testified in the “voire dire” on the voluntaries of the cautionary statements obtained from Alieu Jobe in the ongoing treason trial involving three others, Tamsir Jasseh, Omar Faal Keita and Demba Dem.

Appearing before Justice Avril Annin Yeboah of the Banjul High Court, Sergeant Keita said he knew Alieu Jobe and could remember March 24th 2006. According to him, on that day, while at the NIA headquarters as part of the panel set up to investigate the March 21st foiled coup, the accused (Alieu Jobe), was brought before the panel as a suspect of involvement in the March 21st foiled coup.“He was asked to explain his knowledge about the foiled coup. On the 25th of March, an independent witness in the name of Babou Loum was called by Sergeant Ndure to serve as a witness to Alieu Jobe’s statements while, he (Keita) was instructed to record his statement” Sergeant Keita told the court.

Sergeant Keita narrated that, he took Alieu Jobe to a separate office and Babou Loum, an independent witness was introduced to him (Jobe).“I produced cautionary statements form and Alieu Jobe preferred to write his own statements in the presence of an independent witness. After recording his statement, he signed, Babou Loum an independent witness signed, I also endorsed it as the officer recording the statements,” he said.

Sergeant Keita continued that, on March 28th, 2006, Alieu Jobe was again brought before the panel to clarify certain areas that were brought by other suspects adding that after his explanation before the panel, he (Keita) was again asked to record his statements.

“The same procedure was followed in the presence of an independent witness, Babou Loum. After recording his statements he signed, Babou Loum signed and I (Keita) also signed as officer recording the statements” he said.

In a marathon  testimony which lasted for nearly 5 hours, Sergeant Keita testified that, Alieu Jobe was again brought on the 3rd April 2006, before the panel and statements were recorded from him in the presence of Babou Loum, an independent witness.

“On the 6th April, 2006, he (Jobe) was brought before the panel, and after questioning him, I obtained additional statements from him. On 14 April 2006, he appeared before the panel about his knowledge and involvement in the foiled coup. I took him to a separate office in the presence of Babou Loum, where statements were obtained from him. Alieu Jobe preferred to write his own statements” he said.

Sergeant Keita, revealed that, he (Jobe) signed and Babou Loum together with him, Sergeant Keita, as officer recording statements.

According to Sergeant Keita, Babou Loum is a businessman who operates a video club in Barra. He added that, during his introduction of the independent witness to the accused, they spoke English. He said that on 19 April, 2006, he also recorded voluntary statement from Alieu Jobe at Mile II Prison noting that, the reason for transferring the accused to Mile II was for security reasons.

During cross examination by Lawyer Bory Touray, counsel for Alieu Jobe, Seregeant Keita, admitted that all suspects were detained at Mile II, at the Maximum Security Wing.

According to him, Alieu Jobe first appeared before the panel in the afternoon between 3-4 pm. Sergeant Keita maintained that he never discovered any bruises on the accused body neither did Alieu Jobe complain about such to him.

Lawyer Bory Touray put it to him that, he was not speaking the truth. In response, Sergeant Keita insisted that he was speaking the truth. He admitted that, when the accused appeared before the panel, they were asked to narrate their knowledge and involvement in the foiled coup. Sergeant Keita admitted knowing Musa Bojang, a military officer but further told the court that, he didn’t know which station he was attached to.

Asked whether he agreed that every member of the panel was promoted including himself, Lamin Cham, Lt Musa Jammeh and the present CDS, Sergeant Keita admitted that, it could be true but he was quick to add that, he emerged first in the Police promotional exams in which Lamin Cham secured third place. He however said that he could not tell in the case of Lt Musa Jammeh and CDS Tamba.

The trial continues today.