Sainey Ndure, a police detective Sub-inspector attached to the Major Crimes unit of Gambia Police Force on Thursday testified before Justice M.M. Yamoa of the Banjul High Court in the trial of Hamadi Sowe, a marabout.

Hamadi Sowe is standing trial on the offence of concealment of treason with regard to the 21st March 2006 foiled coup.

Testifying under cross-examination, Sub-inspector Ndure told the court that he has had 23 years service in the police and has been a detective officer for 19 years. He said that when the accused was arrested, he was escorted by armed soldiers to the Major Crimes office at the NIA. He revealed that at the NIA the accused was taken before a 13-member panel of security officers for questioning. Officer Ndure further told the court that he obtained the cautionary statement from the accused on 30th May 2006 at the NIA, while the voluntary statement was taken from the accused on 19th April 2006 at the conference room of Mile 2 prisons, noting that the accused thumb-printed the statement twice and signed one part of the statement. “ I was not satisfied with the accused’s signature. That is why I asked him to thumb-print the statement,” he added.

Sub-Inspector Ndure categorically denied using threats to get the accused to thumb-print the statement and also denied reminding the accused of his ordeal at the NIA. Officer Ndure also denied the presence of armed soldiers during the recording of the statement, maintaining that the accused gave his statement in a very good atmosphere. He also maintained that the independent witness was present at the time of recording the statement. “ I was not aware that the accused was being held at the maximum security wing of Mile 2 prison,” he stated. He told the court that the late Major Musa Jammeh was not responsible for detaining and releasing suspects, adding that the late Major Musa Jammeh was not part of the panel. He maintained that all what he said in court was the truth.

The case at that juncture was adjourned to 2nd July.

A daughter and her mother yesterday admitted guilt for conspiracy and concealment of birth.

Gibba Jallow and Yassin Suwareh of Sare Nyaga were arraigned before travelling magistrate Amadou Baldeh at Kuntaur Magistrates’ Court for conspiring to conceal birth by burying a newly born baby. The child was born to Gibba in November of 2007.

They are expected to be sentenced on 10 June 2007.

Babou Loum, the state independent witness on Monday testified before Justice M.M Yamoa of the Banjul High Court as the trial of marabout Hamadi Sowe continued.

Hamadi Sowe is charged with concealment of treason following the 21st March 2006 foiled coup.

Testifying, Babou Loum told the court that he recognised the accused Hamadi Sowe and that on the 19th April 2006 he was called by Detective Sgt Ndure of the major crime unit to serve as an independent witness in obtaining the voluntary statement of the accused Hamadi Sowe at Mile 2 State Central Prison. “ I accepted the invitation and went to Mile 2. Upon arrival I was escorted to where Sgt Ndure was,” he stated. “ I was introduced to the accused as the independent witness,”  he added.

Further testifying, the state independent witness told the court that the accused was informed by Sgt Ndure that they wished to obtain his voluntary statement, adding that the accused gave his statement voluntarily. He said after obtaining the voluntary statement it was read to the accused. He stated that the accused said he was satisfied and provided his thumb print. He informed the court that he [Babou Loum] too signed the statement as the independent witness and Detective Sgt Ndure also signed the statement as the officer who had obtained it.

The case has been adjourned to 23rd June.