Ebrima, my heartfelt thanks for the tremendous journalistic work you did to
unearth these statements. In my humble opinion, the victims and their
families should be grateful to you and your Sources for bringing this to the
open and showing the whole world how these innocent and defenseless citizens
are being railroaded by the illegal and callous government we have back
home. I hope journalists in the country follow your cue and do some further
digging in this case.

Ebrima, of particular interest is the revelations of that man that claimed
that he informed the American Embassy about this 'plot' and insinuated that
the Americans might have tipped Yaya off. Ebrima, this is a very serious
allegation. I hope the journalists in the country follow this up with the
American Embassy. I do not even want to speculate whether this is true or
not. However, I would say this: just like I do NOT trust Barrow, I do NOT
trust this Sanyang fellow. But the jury is out on the Americans he
implicated in this matter.

Ebrima, Pap Cheyassin Secka should be ashamed of himself. How can this man
call himself a lawyer and append his signature to these bogus charges? This
is simply incomprehensible. Between the Statements from Barrow and the
Italian rat, the case against Dumo has also collapsed. As demonstrated
earlier on, there is no case whatsoever against Lalo. There is also no case
against the Darboe fellow. All the government has against Darboe is the
Hearsay statement from Francesco saying that Kanteh mentioned Darboe. This
is just ridiculous. I know Pap Cheyassin Secka NEVER worked as a prosecutor
before. But come on. Any moron should know that Francesco cannot hang Lalo
and Darboe. Any defense lawyer will have a field day with Francesco and
Barrow. Their lies will not stand muster.

Now according to the best case possible the government has against Dumo,
apparently Dumo was part of a conspiracy when he attended two meetings with
Francesco and Barrow and Saul Ndow. Later Dumo was discarded and Saul Ndow
decided to proceed with Kanteh and his people. See why I said that the case
against Dumo too has collapsed? Francesco just exonerated the man. Now the
'blame' is heaped against Saul Ndow and Kanteh, both of whom are outside the
country (if no one noticed). How very convenient. Saul Ndow and Kanteh are
not in the country to defend themselves. Blame everything on them.

I will just touch on one discrepancy to show that there is even no case for
Kanteh and Saul Ndow to defend themselves against. If we examine the
statements of Francesco, Barrow and Sanyang thoroughly, we will discover
that the dates they give do not add up. According to Barrow, the meeting at
Kanteh's house took place on June 4, 2000. Now according to Sanyang, the
meeting was on June 18, 2000.  The star witness (Francesco) did not talk
about a date for the meeting at Kanteh's. Presumably he is waiting to see
what the other 'witnesses' have to say. Instead Francesco lied about a
meeting he had with Kanteh and Barrow at Francesco's house. But if you go
back to Barrow's statement, you discover that Barrow said that the meeting
between Francesco, Barrow and Kanteh took place at Saul Ndow's house in
Pipeline. So who should we trust among the two incorrigible liars? Another
thing is that according to Barrow's narration, nothing was said about Lalo
and Darboe. Yet Francesco claimed that Kanteh told them at the meeting that
Lalo and Darboe were involved in the 'plot'. The Italian is obviously lying
about Kanteh again because he knows that Kanteh is not in the country to
give his side of the story.

Ebrima, if the illegal government we have back home is able to convict these
innocent citizens, I recommend that our pigs attempt to fly. They might just
succeed. This is the height of lawlessness.
KB



>From: Ebrima Ceesay <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: The Gambia and related-issues mailing list
><[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: On Dumo Saho, Barrow and others
>Date: Fri, 15 Jun 2001 22:02:43 -0000
>
>Gambia-L,
>
>Below you will find the "Statements of Offence and Particulars of Offence"
>against Messrs. Ebrima Barrow, Momodou Ousman Saho (Dumo), Momodou Marena,
>Ebrima Yarbo, Lt. Lalo Jaiteh, Lt. Omar A. Darbo and Abdoulie Sanyang, in
>connection with the so-called "coup plot" against Yahya Jammeh.
>
>By the way, sooner rather than later, my source in The Gambia has also
>promised to send the remaining two "Cautionary Statements" of Lt. Omar
>Darbo
>and Abdoulie Sanyang, in order that we may have a better and more complete
>picture of the way in which these people are being framed by the
>government.
>
>Having said that, I must again caution that readers of Gambia-L have to
>understand that, under the letter and spirit of the Law, a person is
>INNOCENT until proven guilty.
>
>These "Cautionary Statements, Statements of Offence and Particulars of
>Offence" are from the Government-side.  We are yet to hear directly what
>the
>accused persons have to say about these statements.  The government claims
>to have gotten them (the statements) from the accused persons and we should
>be bearing this in mind.  How far can we trust what the government side is
>saying?
>
>When I first received the "cautionary statements", I did not immediately
>send them on to the list:  their one-sidedness concerned me, and I felt it
>important to consult with those who needed to be consulted in The Gambia.
>The consensus was that I should publish everything as I received them/it,
>in
>order that people would begin to understand what were the government
>fabrications. Equally importantly, by publishing these cautionary
>statements
>in full, Gambians should then have a true understanding of the role played
>by the Italian Francesco Caso, and the games he was involved in.
>
>I had considered submitting a piece to the Gambia-L about Francesco Caso
>alone, while withholding the cautionary statements I sent the other day,
>but
>it seemed to me that that would have distorted the theme of what is
>actually
>happening:  the cautionary statements are vital parts of the terrible
>process being undergone by the accused men.
>
>And based on the summary of evidence, which is reproduced further below, it
>is very clear that this Italian man, Franceso Caso, has quite deliberately
>incited some Gambians to play his game.  He had a business which failed and
>he became bankrupt. In order to recoup his losses, he started to utilise
>his
>previous military skills to get money.  He set up a number of Gambians, and
>then played informer to Government Officials about the hole he had dug for
>these Gambians.
>
>What happened next??
>
>Well, the Italian miscreant, Francesco Caso, got full time employment as
>Chief Security Adviser to Yahya Jammeh !!
>
>In his summary of so-called "evidence", he (Franco) says that around
>May/June 1999, he met the 1st accused, Ebrima Barrow.  However, the
>particulars of the offence are saying that these accused persons were
>dealing with Francesco Caso between March 1999 and June 2000.  There is a
>large discrepancy here, and the inconsistencies have to be FULLY
>investigated.
>
>A word of admonition nonetheless: Gambians should be cautious and vigilant
>at all times!! But don’t get me wrong: there are good foreign investors
>working in The Gambia, and we should not be keen to paint them with the
>same
>brush with which we are painting Francesco Caso. We cannot and should not
>be
>labelling every foreign investor in The Gambia as a potential trouble-maker
>or trouble-incitor:  we DO have to exercise great care however, and be on
>our guards.
>
>Again, Gambians should take note that these Cautionary Documents are from
>the Government side:  we are waiting to hear directly, from the accused
>persons in order to get a broader and truer picture of events.
>
>In this twenty-first century, we cannot afford to take the printed word in
>whatever forum, as the gospel truth.  This is a period in our history when
>we MUST develop the art of critical and independent thinking, based on
>factual evidence.  In short, we have to use our brains at all times!!
>
>Whatever is posted onto Gambia-L should be treated cautiously, and in
>particular when pro-Jammeh interests publish articles on the G-L, we should
>receive these initially with large pinches of salt !
>
>We have to learn to separate fact from fiction:  to sieve through the
>information coming from government or pro-government sources, and to be
>mindful of governmental influence.  Our aim should always be to get to the
>truth of the matter, and take nothing for granted.
>
>Our prayers are with the Accused men and their families. Africa will one
>day
>have genuine leaders who WILL build an Africa that can FINALLY
>guarantee/accord respect, justice, dignity and sustainable development to
>its people.
>
>Long Live a Free, Fair and Just Gambia !
>
>
>Ebrima Ceesay,
>Birmingham, UK
>
>*********************************************************************
>
>
>IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE GAMBIA
>
>CRIMINAL CASE NO …26/2000
>
>THE STATE
>
>VS
>
>1st Accused, EBRIMA BARROW
>2nd Accused, MOMODOU OUSMAN SAHO (DUMO)
>3rd Accused, MOMODOU MARENA
>4th Accused, EBRIMA YARBO
>5th Accused, LT. LALO JAITEH
>6th Accused, LT.OMAR A. DARBO
>7th Accused, ABDOULIE SANYANG
>
>
>The Court is informed by the Honourable Attorney General on behalf of The
>State that the above named accused persons are charged with the following
>offences:-
>
>COUNT 1
>
>STATEMENT OF OFFENCE
>
>Treason contrary to sections 35(1)(g) of the Criminal Code Cap 10 of
>Vol.lll
>of The Laws of The Gambia 1990.
>
>
>PARTICULARS OF OFFENCE
>
>EBRIMA BARROW, MOMODOU OUSMAN SAHO (SUMO), MOMODOU MARENA, EBRIMA YARBO,
>LT.LALO JAITEH, LT.OMAR A.DARBO and ABDOULIE SANYANG  between the months of
>March 1999 and June 2000 in the Republic of The Gambia conspired with each
>other and RTD.CAPTAIN ALHAJI KANTEH and SAUL NDOW now at large to overthrow
>the Government of The Gambia by unlawful means.
>
>COUNT ll
>
>STATEMENT OF OFFENCE
>
>TREASON contrary to Section 35(1)(f) of the Criminal Code Cap 10 Vol lll of
>the Laws of The Gambia 1990.
>
>
>PARTICULARS OF OFFENCE
>
>EBRIMA BARROW, MOMODOU OUSMAN SAHO (DUMO), MOMODOU MARENA,EBRIMA YARBO,
>RTD.CAPTAIN ALHAJI KANTEH, SAUL NDOW, LT. LALO JAITEH, LT.OMAR A.DARBO and
>ABDOULIE SANYANG between the months of March 1999 and June 2000 in The
>Republic of The Gambia attempted to cause the death of the Head of State,
>RTD. COLONEL ALHAJI YAHYA J.J.JAMMEH with a view to securing the overthrow
>of the Government of The Gambia.
>
>
>
>COUNT lll
>
>STATEMENT OF OFFENCE
>
>TREASON, contrary to section 35 (1)(g) of the Criminal Code Cap 10 Vol lll
>of the Laws of The Gambia 1990.
>
>
>PARTICULARS OF OFFENCE
>
>EBRIMA BARROW, MOMODOU OUSMAN SAHO (DUMO),MOMODOU MARENA, EBRIMA YARBO,
>RTD.CAPTAIN ALHAJI KANTEH,SAUL NDOW, LT.LALO JAITEH,LT.OMAR A.DARBO and
>ABDOULIE SANYANG between the months of March 1999 and June 2000 in the
>Republic of The Gambia prepared or endeavoured to overthrow the Government
>of the 2nd Republic of The Gambia by unlawful means.
>
>
>
>COUNT 1V
>
>
>STATEMENT OF OFFENCE
>
>Treason, Contrary to Section 6 (1)(a) of the constitution of Republic of
>The
>Gambia 1997.
>
>
>
>PARTICULARS OF OFFENCE
>
>EBRIMA BARROW,MOMODOU OUSMAN SAHO(DUMO),MOMODOU MARENA, EBRIMA YARBO,
>RTD.CAPTAIN ALHAJI KANTEH,SAUL NDOW,LT.LALO JAITEH, LT.OMAR A.DARBO and
>ABDOULIE SANYANG between the months of March 1999 and June 2000 in the
>Republic of The Gambia in concert with each other attempted to overthrow
>the
>constitution of the Republic of The Gambia or a part thereof by unlawful
>means in that you endeavoured to overthrow The Government of the Republic
>of
>The Gambia.
>
>
>
>Dated the 26th July, 2000
>
>……………………………………
>Signed: ALH.CHEYASSIN O.SECKA
>ATTORNEY GENERAL’S CHAMBERS
>DEPARTMENT OF STATE FOR JUSTICE
>MUAMMAR GHADAFI AVENUE
>BANJUL
>
>
>_______________________________________________________________________
>
>
>IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE GAMBIA
>
>CRIMINAL CASE NO 26/2000
>
>
>
>
>THE STATE
>
>VERSUS
>
>EBRIMA BARROW
>MOMODOU OUSMAN SAHO (DUMO)
>MOMODOU MARENA
>EBRIMA YARBO
>LT. LALO JAITEH
>LT.OMAR A. DARBO
>ABDOULIE SANYANG
>
>
>
>CONSENT TO PROSECUTE
>
>
>Pursuant to section 39 of the Criminal Code Cap 10 of Vol lll of the Laws
>of
>The Gambia I hereby give my consent for the prosecution of EBRIMA BARROW,
>MOMODOU OUSMAN SAHO (DUMO), MOMODOU MARENA, EBRIMA YARBO, RTD. ALH. KANTEH,
>SAUL NDOW, LT.LALO JAITEH, LT. OMAR A. DARBO for the offence of Treason
>contrary to sections 35(1)(g) and 35(1)(a) of the Criminal Code and
>35(1)(f)
>Cap 10 of Vol lll of the Laws of The Gambia.
>
>
>
>
>Dated the 26th day of July, 2000
>
>
>………………………….
>Signed: Alh. Cheyassin O. Secka
>
>
>********************************************************************
>
>
>SUMMARY OF EVIDENCE (This is reproduced verbatim)
>
>
>Prosecution Witness (PW1) FRANCESO CASO Witness will say inter alia:
>
>That he (Franceso) is an Italian who runs a restaurant business at Bakau.
>That sometime in 1999 the first accused person (Ebrima Barrow) came to his
>restaurant for the first time and they immediately hit it off as friends by
>conversing in the Italian language. Witness (Franceso) will say that the
>first accused person said to him that the Gambia Government is "not good,
>need to be changed" which made him curious and he wanted to know more from
>the accused person No.1, Ebrima Barrow. That this led witness to start
>playing a "complicated game in which many people were involved."
>
>Witness (Franceso) will say that around May/June 1999 the first accused
>person, Ebrima Barrow, brought along 2nd accused person, Momodou Dumo
>Sarho,
>to his Restaurant and introduced 2nd accused person (Momodou Dumo Saho) as
>a
>man who was having "men for a coup" and wanted help from the witness.
>
>Witness will further say that a month or so after his meeting with the 1st
>and 2nd accused (Barrow and Saho) at his restaurant in Bakau, the accused
>persons came back with Saul Ndow, now at large.  That the three accused
>persons told witness (Franceso) that they had a plan but needed training of
>their men who were coming from abroad by the witness.
>
>The witness (Franceso) will say that after the students demonstration he
>met
>accused person No. 2 (Dumo Sarho) at the Boka Laho Skills Centre in
>Tabokoto.  He, Franceso, will narrate what he was told by, Barrow, accused
>No. 1, about accused person No. 2 (Dumo Sarho) regarding the students’
>demonstration. Witness will also say that the accused person No.2 (Dumo
>Sarho) told him he, Dumo, has some weapons hidden somewhere.
>
>Witness will say that a month before he (Franceso) made his (Franceso’s)
>statement to the Intelligence Officers investigating this case he,
>Franceso,
>  was called by accused person No. 1, Barrow, who informed him that accused
>persons No.2 (Dumo Sarho) and Saul Ndow were no longer doing the coup plot
>together but Saul Ndow wanted witness to meet Alhaji Kanteh who was ready
>to
>kill the President. Witness will say that a week after he was informed
>about
>Alhaji Kanteh, they were formally introduced. That on that day he was told
>by Alhaji Kanteh that he had a team ready to kill the President and lots of
>money.
>
>Witness will say Alhaji Kanteh visited his (Franceso’s) house at night
>together with accused person No. 1, Barrow.  Witness will say that he
>wanted
>to know all the people who were involved in the plot and threatened
>withdrawal of his support if the names of the people to be trusted were not
>revealed to him.
>
>Witness will say that Alhaji Kanteh mentioned the following persons as
>people he could trust, namely, accused person No.5 Lt.Lalo Jaiteh and
>accused person No. 6 LT. Omar Darboe and accused person No.4 Ebrima Yarbo.
>Witness will say that he personally met only 3 (three) of the 10 (ten) men.
>That the witness will explain how he met accused person No. 4 during a gas
>gun sale transaction.
>
>************************************
>
>
>PW 2 SULAYMAN JAMMEH
>
>This witness is a salesman at Kombo Sillah Drive, New Jeshwang. He will say
>that on the 3rd of July 2000 he was invited to witness the recording of the
>cautionary statements of accused person No. 1, accused No. 2, accused No. 3
>and accused No. 4. This was done by Inspector Biram S. Jobe . The accused
>signed the statements in his presence and he signed.
>
>
>**************************************
>
>PW 3 SANKARY SAIDYKHAN
>
>This witness is a Carpenter living at Tabokoto he will say that on the 11th
>of July, 2000 he witnessed the recording of the cautionary statements of
>accused No. 5 and accused No. 6. He will say that in his presence each of
>the accused persons signed the statements and he also signed.
>
>******************************************************
>
>PW 4 MODOU SANNEH
>
>The witness is a Business man residing at 75 Hagan Street Banjul. He will
>explain that sometime in 1999 he was approached by Momodou Marena (accused
>No. 3) who asked him to sell a gas gun to one white man. He will give
>details.
>
>
>******************************************************
>
>PW 5 D/INSPECTOR BIRAM S.JOBE.
>
>This witness is a Police Officer. He will say that on 3rd and 11th July,
>2000, he recorded cautionary statements from accused persons No. 1,2,3,4,5
>and 6 in the presence of independent witnesses. Witness will tender the
>cautionary statements in evidence.
>
>**********************************************************
>_________________________________________________________________________
>Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com.
>
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