In treason trial Video operator, medic testify

Babou Loum, a video operator residing in Barra in North Bank Region (NBR), has testified in the “voire dire” on the voluntariness of the cautionary statement obtained from Alieu Jobe in the ongoing treason trial of March 21 foiled coup, involving three other civilians, Tamsir Jasseh, Omar Faal Keita and Demba Dem.

Appearing before Justice Avril Annin Yeboah of the Banjul High Court, Babou Loum, an independent  said on 24th March 2006, Sgt Ndure informed him on telephone that he is needed at NIA headquarters on March 25th to serve as an independent witness for one of the accused involved in the March 21st foiled coup.

According to him, he joined the first ferry to Banjul and upon his arrival at the NIA headquarters, he introduced himself to officers at the gate and was later escorted inside, where Sgt Ndure introduced him to Boto Keita, who in turn introduced him to Alieu Jobe.

According to him, when he entered the office, he found Lamin Cham, Abdoulie Sowe, Boto Keita and Alieu Jobe, who was told to write what he knew about the foiled coup. “I informed him (Alieu Jobe) that he is not forced to write anything but only what he knew about the coup. Alieu Jobe preferred to write his own statement,” he said.

Mr. Loum told the court himself and Alieu Jobe wrote their names and appended their signatures to the statement, before it was endorsed by Boto Keita. According to him, on 28th March 2006, whilst at Barra he received another telephone call from Sgt Ndure that he should report at NIA headquarters. “I joined the second ferry to Banjul and then I joined a taxi to the NIA headquarters, where I met Boto Keita, Alieu Jobe, Lamin Cham and Abdoulie Sowe,” he said.

Mr. Loum indicated that he was re-introduced to the accused by Boto Keita. He said the Alieu Jobe was issued with a cautionary form and was told to write what he knew about the foiled coup. He added that on April 3rd 2006, he received another telephone call from Sgt Ndure to serve as an independent witness for the same accused person. “When I came to the NIA headquarters, I met Boto Keita, who informed me that the accused has already written his statement as I was late,” he said.

He recalled that on 14th April 2006, Sgt Ndure called him to witness the signing of Alieu Jobe’s statement. He said following his arrival at the NIA headquarters, Alieu Jobe wrote his statement, which was read over by himself (Jobe) until when he is satisfied.

He then added: “During all these period as an independent witness, I did not notice any injury neither a blood stain on Alieu Jobe. He never complaint that he was threatened, wounded or assaulted,” Babou Loum said.

In his testimony, Bakary Wharf Kujabi, a nurse attendant at the Medical Unit of the State Central Prisons at Mile II, told the court that his work is to conduct routine checks on inmates to ascertain their welfare. Mr. Kujabi said this duty is carried out in the morning, afternoon and evening periods. He said inmates with minor illness are treated at the prisons complex, but serious cases are referred to Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital (RVTH).

According to him, sometimes they treat injuries at the prisons, adding that he (Kujabi) came across Alieu Jobe on 25th March 2006, when he was carrying out his duty at the Maximun Security Wing of the State Central Prisons. “I met him in his cell. On that day, he (Jobe) did not complain anything to me. On March 28th, when I met him in his cell during my normal check on the health of the inmates, Alieu Jobe did not complain anything to me,” he said.

Sgt Wharf Kujabi continued that he did not discover any injuries, stress or blood stain on Alieu Jobe. He recalled that on 3rd April 2006, while at the State Central Prisons he met the accused during his ward tour of the cells but he did not received any complain him.

According to him, he did receive any complain from Alieu Jobe on April 14th until April 20, when he complaint about lack of appetite and headache. He said Alieu Jobe then given tablets. “On 25th March 2006, he was taken from his cell by officers of the Gambia National Army to NIA and was returned by 2:00 Clock.” The trial continues today.