NIA officer cross examined

An officer of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), name withheld, was last Tuesday, May 20, cross examined by Antouman Gaye, defense counsel for Christoper Badjie, an alleged escaped prisoner from the US.

Responding to questions posed to him by the defense counsel at a mini trial, other wise called Voir dire, presided over by Principal Magistrate B.Y Camara of Banjul Magistrates court, the intelligence officer claimed that he did not know what was meant by ‘holding a person or persons incommunicado’, or what was meant by ‘uphold the law or laws of the land’.  But he was quick to say that he only got to understand it after the question was re-framed by Principal Magistrate, B Y Camara.

The officer, further responding to more questions, maintained that he was part of those who effected the arrest of the accused and that it was him that obtained the three cautionary statements from them with the last one obtained on 10th April, 2008.

The marathon cross examination was characterized by objections and counter objections from both the defense counsel, Antouman Gaye, and Emmanuel Fagbenle, the director of public prosecution (DPP).