Allez! Haruna. NO Coup Plot, All Testimonies Are False—Lawyer Pap Cheyassin Secka Defene Lawyer Secka Accuses Jabbie Gassama Of Lying “I am putting it to you that that this whole idea of a coup plot is a figment of your imagination. In other words, it is not true,” Lawyer Secka Tells Witness By Staff Reporter Fatou Barry, Banjul "I am putting it to you that that this whole idea of a coup plot is a figment of your imagination. In other words, it is not true. I am further putting it to you that you cannot produce the slightest evidence to show your false story that you were engaged in training mercenaries for the alleged coup,"" These were the exact words of lead counsel Pap Cheyassin Secka, who informed the court that there was no coup plot against the Jammeh administration, as claimed by prosecution witnesses in this grand trial involving Major General Lang Tombong Tamba, and co. Lawyer Secka argued that this idea of coup plot was a mere hoax—aimed at incriminating innocent former service chiefs, and civilians. But Ousasaynou Jabbie, who goes with the aliases Rui Jabbie-Gassama maintains that there was indeed a coup plot. He rejected Lawyer Secka’s suggestion that his testimonies were misleading, and unfounded. Mr. Gassama however, confessed that he was never involved in the training of the mercenaries. "I am further putting it to you that you cannot produce the slightest evidence to show your false story that you were engaged in training mercenaries for the alleged coup," said Lawyer Secka. In response Mr. Jabbie said "Yes." Lead counsel Secka was impressed by Mr. Gassama’s honest response, adding that “ I want to commend Mr. Jabbie for the first time telling the truth to the court.” Both prosecution witness Ebrima Marreh, and Ousasynou Jabbie-Gassama appeared in court unprepared. They have been associated with the following expressions: I don’t know. I cannot remember.” The court spectators often branded them: Mr. I don’t know, I cannot remember.” Further grilling the witness, Lawyer Secka asked Mr. Gassama if he had documentary evidence to back up his claims that he was assigned by the accused persons to train the mercenaries, but the witness replied in the negative. "Did you have documents from Lang Tombong Tamba and Modou Bo Badjie engaging you to train mercenaries?" Secka enquired further, but Mr. Kujabi in response said "There is no document." Lawyer Secka countered "Did you give any receipt to Lang Tombong when he paid you the 30, 000 Euros for your service?" and, Mr. Jabbie responded "I did not give him any receipt." The witness could not provide effective, and compelling response to questions fired by Lawyer Secka. He kept on telling the court "I can’t remember." The court was reduced to a “comedy” scene, as spectators could be seen laughing, and murmuring. Mr. Jabbie tried to win the confidence of the court by saying "No-Man-Is-Perfect." Jabbie said his failure to recollect, or remember some of the issues associated with the alleged coup plot should not be misconstrued. He said no man is perfect, and that he doesn’t have answers for the questions asked by Secka. Well the witness’s plea to be excused for not remembering some of the meetings associated with the coup plot doesn’t saved him from the defense’s grilling exercise. Lawyer Secka was determined to prove his arguments that the witness was a liar, who should not be trusted by the court. “When were you arrested in Bissau?” Lawyer Secka asked the witness, Jabbie responded “ I can’t remember.” Secka further asked the witness “ How many days were you detained?” Jabbie maintains that he can’t remember. "When were you arrested in Bissau? Lawyer Secka asked him. "I can’t remember" he replied. Secka further asked: "How many days were you detained". "I can’t remember." "Do you know which date was last year Tobaski – the so-called ‘Black Friday’, alleged coup date" he was asked, Jabbie in response said "I can’t remember.” Interestingly, Mr. Jabbie said he does "not remember" when the last Guinea Bissau presidential election was held. And whether or not his "good ally" in the illegal drug business, assassinated Interior minister of Guinea Bissau, late Basiru Darboe, died before or after the election. But the witness said can't remember about the said happenings in Bissau. Atlhough, he fully remembered the NIA Director General’s name, but he could not remember when he made a report to him regarding the alleged coup plot. "Ebrima Marreh testified that all the meetings were held in Lang Tombong’s compounds, do you agree," Lawyer Secka asked the witness, but Mr. Jabbie remarked "He said so, not me.” Secka countered "But you said the first and second meeting was held in Modou Badjie’s compound,” the witness responded in the affirmative. Jabbie said he cannot remember the intervals of the meetings, but insisted that the meetings were held during his two weeks stay in The Gambia. "Do you remember saying that Lang Tombong Tamba introduced you to Ebrima Marreh?" Jabbie answered "Yes." Secka then added "In your statement of 23rd December 2009 at NIA, do you remember saying you only knew of Ebrima’s name when you were confronted with it at the NIA?" Jabbie responded "Yes. I said so.” "Do you know the recent history of Bissau, in particular the bush-war for independence?" The witness who sounded confident remarked "I know it very well.” "Do you know as a result of that, security forces know every inch of that country’s territory?" Secka asked. The witness responded "Yes I know.” Mr. Secka then asked "Do you want the court to believe that the security-minded Bissau authorities who know every inch of their territory would fail to know the existence of an unauthorized training lasting for 45 days?" "Yes. I want the court to believe that," Jabbie said. Kujabi told the court that Gabriel Ngorr Secka, was an intermediary between him, Kukoi, Lang Tamba, and Bo Badjie. He claimed that Ngorr brought them food at their training ground at “Bambadinka" every Friday, and stayed with them till Sunday.” When asked “are there houses in the bush?" Jabbie responded in the negative. He claimed that the training exercise took place during the rainy season in Bissau, and that Ngorr Secka stays under the rain during the period in question. Jabbie told the court that while in detention in Bissau, a Gambian delegation of investigators visited him. He adds that they showed him a photo album and he identified two men he was working with in Bissau – Ngorr Secka and Kabiru Saidy – in the presence of Bissau authorities. According to Jabbie when he arrived in The Gambia, he reported the matter to one Captain Jallow at Statehouse, but could not remember the time he made this report. Lawyer Secka then asked the witness "As an expert in military intelligence, didn’t you know that Director General of NIA had direct contact with the President?" Jabbie responded: "It used to be, but not now. He asked for an appointment through the Secretary General, to see the President.” While Lawyer Secka was persistently interrupted in court by the presiding judge Justice Amadi, following his grilling of the witness, the defense lawyer said the charge brought against his clients were grave, and he was not taking it lightly. "My client’s necks are at stake," Lawyer Cheyassin told Justice Amadi as he continued with his cross examination of the witness But Justice Amadi is of the view that Lawyer Secka is wasting the court’s time. The judge said the questions asked by Secka were irrelevant to the trial. He said Secka was on a fishing expedition by asking the witness "irrelevant questions", and thus cautioned him to stop wasting the court’s time. Secka was still determined to grill the witness."You said one of the motives for the alleged plot was because the President was putting women in positions of authority,” Jabbie responded "Yes". Further asked by Secka "Do you know that Lang Tombong is the 5th holder of that position?" Kujabi said "no." "Do you know by the time Lang Tombong Tamba took over, the highest position a woman held was a Corporal?" At this juncture Justice Amadi intervened, saying Mr. Jabbie was told of it. The judge said he doesn’t see the relevance of such a question. Lawyer Secka retorted "But the court allowed him to say it here. What we are proving is that all what he said here is not true, including what he was told." Lawyer Secka maintains that all his questions are centered within the witness's own testimony. The court is expected to resume trial Tuesday morning. Many here are doubting the credibility of the state witnesses. The witnesses have exhibited their lack of trustworthiness as they adduced conflicting statements throughout the trial. ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://listserv.icors.org/archives/gambia-l.html To Search in the Gambia-L archives, go to: http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?S1=gambia-l To contact the List Management, please send an e-mail to: [log in to unmask] ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤