“I Was Arrested For Refusing To Cut-Down Citizen FM Transmitter” Says Witness

Photo: TRRC Commissioners. (Credit culled from TRRC FB Page)

By Ousman A. Marong

Former Gamtel Senior Manager, Mr. Ebrahima Yarbo, has conjugated his arrest and detention by the defunct National Intelligence Agency (NIA) now Security Intelligence Services (SIS) to his refusal to cut-down the transmitter of Citizen FM Radio Station.

The sixty-seven (67) year old Yarbo, explained in April 1995 on a faithful Friday morning that he had received a telephone call from the NIA requesting him to go and answer to them.

“Upon arrival at the NIA, I met senior officers including FRI Jammeh, Samba Bah, Numo Kujabi and Francisco Kosaso. It was Numo Kujabi who welcomed me and requested that I should accompany them to the Gamtel House to switched-off Citizen FM’s radio transmitter. I told him that wouldn’t be easy and that it was not under my domain to do such. They informed the former President Yahya Jammeh that I refused to cut down citizen FM’s radio transmitter citing to him (Yahya Jammeh) that I must be part of the revolutionary movement groups who were not in support of the regime at the time,” Ebrahima Yarbo said.

Yarbo made these revelations via skype from his UK based while testifying before the country’s Truth Commission on Tuesday morning.

Arrest and Detention         

In his own leeway, he said he was arrested at around 3am local time. He added that his arrestees used a rope in getting to the floor he was living in.

“They appeared in my house at about 3am local time and they were knocking my door that I should come out. I telephoned the police but they complained about the lack of fuel. I told them that I was just next door to them. As soon as the police arrived, they found these mobs with their riffles that identified themselves as NIA Operatives. The police made it clear to them that was not the way to arrest someone,” he remarked.

He added: “I was arrested for refusing to cut-down Citizen FM transmitter.”

Inhuman Prison Condition

The witness revealed that he had spent 4-years and 4 months in prison.

He made mention of names like Saul Ndow, Lieutenant Omar Darboe, Modou Drammeh and Modou Dumo Saho whom he was detained with at the infamous “Bamba Dinka” cell.

He said Saul Ndow later escaped when the state wanted to use him as a prosecution witness.

Yarbo adduced that they were charged with treason but were later acquitted and discharged. He informed the Commission that upon his discharge he received a letter from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DDP) stating he would not be reinstated.

Victim Center Chair Say President Barrow let Gambians down

Photo: Sheriff M. Kijera

By Ousman A. Marong

The Chairman of the Gambia Center for Victims of Human Rights Violation, Sheriff Kijera, has on Monday reacted to the granting of a permit to the supporters of the Alliance for Patriotic Reconciliation Construction Party (APRC) to protest in demand for former President Jammeh’s possible return to the country as a free man.

“President Barrow had let all of us down by issuing a permit to the APRC,” he said.

It could be recalled that on Wednesday 16 January 2020, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Mahmud Jobe decided to grant a permit to officials of the APRC Party to protest.

The granting of the permit came at a time when the IGP’s office refused to approve #Operation “3-years jotna” a movement to protest demanding for President Barrow to step down and honor his campaign promised.

“It is disappointing to see President Barrow letting us down. He (President Barrow) together with his government let all of us (Gambians) down. The decision from the IGP to issue the permit to supports of the APRC to protest was a political move. Such a decision does not come from the IGP himself. I am sure the move is politically motivated," he remarked.

He made the disclosure at a press conference held at the Center for human rights violations in Kotu.

It could also be recall that former president Jammeh’s name has been adversely mentioned at the Truth Commission as someone responsible for gross-human right violation.

He alleged that President Barrow wants to prolong and self-perpetuate himself into power.

“He (President Barrow) wants to contest the next Presidential election so he will do all he could in order to get the support of the APRC. He is aiming to go in for an alliance with the APRC party in order to achieve his long dream of ruling,” he asserted.

He revealed that all the victims of former President Jammeh are disappointed with the move to grant APRC the permit to protest.

He stated that they (the victims) have written a permit to the IGP and that they will embark on a massive protest come Saturday 25 January 2020.

“We are calling on all and sundry to turn up in their thousands and join us to demonstrate for a possible bring Jammeh to justice. Jammeh must face justice; Jammeh must answer to all the allegations against him, “he quired.

He said Gambians are closely monitoring the TRRC where various testifiers alleged to have ordered from him to mime Gambians.

“He (Jammeh) cannot go scot-free. He and all those behind  all heinous crimes against any Gambian must be held responsible,” Mr. Kijera vowed.

 He said victims of former president Jammeh are in dire need for justice. He added that many victims are still nursing the wounds inflicted on them by former President Yahya Jammeh.

Sanna Sabally Admits Killing November 11th Alleged Coup Plotters

PHOTO Sanna B.Sabally (Photo Credit online)

By Ousman A. Marong

The former Vice Chairman of the AFPRC military Junta Vice Chairman Sanna Sabally told the TRRC on Thursday that he personally shot Lt. Basiru Barrow and Lt. 'Dot' Faal whom he referred to be the ring leaders. According to him, he paraded the alleged coup plotters at Fajara Barracks and ordered his Orderlies to shot at them. 

“I shot Lt. Basiru Barrow and Lt.  Abdoulie 'Dot' Faal and later went to Radio Gambia to make an announcement that some senior officers were involved in an alleged coup plot and some lost their lives during the shootout”, he remarked.

He made this disclosure at Dunes Hotel in Kololi testifying before the Truth Commission. He revealed that after the execution they (Council Members) went to the State House to meet ex-Chairman Jammeh to discuss the execution of the coup plotters. He said on the same day at around 6:00pm, some of the remaining ring leaders were executed at a range around Siffoe.  He indicated that those executed at the range were; Sergeant Fafa Nyang, Cadet Officer E.M Ceesay, Cadet Amadou Sillah, L.t Basiru Camara, L.t  Bakary Manneh alias ‘Nyancho’, Buba Jammeh alias ‘Ahchopin’. 

He reiterated that he ordered his orderlies to bury the bodies of the executed soldiers at the Yundum Barracks. 
"Why didn’t you give them befitting burial?" Asked Counsel Faal. 
The witness replied because they were enemies of their government whose principal plan was to do the same thing to them. He connected his parting with ex-president Jammeh to be the setting up of the National Executive Committee (NCC). He alleged that Mamadou Bojang and the late Baba Jobe were going round campaigning advising civilians to tell the council member that they should go back to the barrack. 

“I warned Mamadou Bojang to stay away from council matters and that he should leave the civilians to decide on their own," Sabally resounded.

He recalled late Baba Jobe, Foday Barry and other men asking him (Sanna B. Sabally) if he was to continue serving as council member after the 6th-month agreement. He said he told them the late Baba Jobe that after he served his 6^th months agreement he (Sanna B. Sabally) wouldn’t be part of the junta. He emphasized that Edward Sinagateh told him that ex-Chairman Jammeh ordered him (Sabally) to return his arms to the armoury at the State House because civilians were afraid seeing his guards roaming with guns inside state house. “I comply and returned all the arms back”, he asserted. He added that Edward Sinagateh later informed him that ex-president Jammeh was calling on him (Sanna B. Sabally) and that he should go and answer. “As I entered the office of Chairman Jammeh I was arrested by Batch Samba Jallow, the late Almamo Manneh, etc and one soldier whom he refers to be called ‘Maliamungo’.

He further alleged that Edward Sinagateh pointed his pistol on Sidibou Hydara’s forehead threaten to pull the trigger. “After my arrest with Sidibou Hydara an announcement was made over the Radio alleging that I (Sanna B. Sabally) attempted to kill ex-president Jammeh”, said the witness.

Ex-Jungular Denise Involvement In Torture Of Victims at the NIA

By Ousman A. Marong

Alleged ex-Jugular Lamin Senghore(Photo Credit TRRC) 

Lamin Senghore, an ex-member of the former president’s hit-squad known as the jungulars of the defunct National Intelligence Agency (NIA) now changed to SIS, has denied participating in any torture of civilians and soldiers arrested by the previous government.

“Sir I can tell you that I have never participated in any beating or torture of civilians and soldiers during their interrogation at the NIA,” he remarked.
He revealed that he has never seen or participated in any torture or beating during his services as the security officer at the Gambia Armed Forces and at the NIA or the NDEA (drug squad).
Senghore, nicknamed “The Assassin”, made these remarks on the ongoing Truth, Reconciliaton and Reparations Commission (TRRC) at the Dunes Hotel in Kololi.
Further testifying on the allegations of torture of soldiers at Mile 2 prison, Senghore admitted being part of a group of soldiers headed by then Sergeant Alagie Martins (Brig. Gen). He said Martins led the team of torturers but he has never tortured any person at Mile 2 prison.
“They were tortured by kicking, slapping and beating,” the witness confirmed.
He said it was at this time he pleaded to Martins to allow him to take charge of RSM Baboucar Sanyang (now a Lieutenant-Colonel in the GAF), RSM Fatty and one Musa Colley.
“I did not torture them,” the witness said.
A video of RSM Sanyang’s testimony before the TRRC was played where he was giving an account of his torture at Mile II prison by Martins and his men including the witness.
“His (Sanyang’s) testimony is incorrect,” the witness said adding that as far as he could remember, he has only witnessed the torture of the first-badge of detainees at Mile II by Martins and his men.
“The Assassin means killer. You claimed that you have never participated in any torture or killing, yet they call you “The Assassin,” it means you don’t deserve the name “assassin,” the Lead Counsel Essa Faal told the witness.
“Yes. I have never participated in the killing or torture of any soldier,” the witness replied.
He said some years after the November 11, 1994 incident, he was part of a team of soldiers trained on counter-terrorism. He said the training lasted for about 4 months.
“Was that the jungulars training,” asked the Lead Counsel.
“Yes, it was,” the witness responded, adding that they were not taught to be killers but neutralize a defensive mechanism.
With a series of questions and answers between the Lead Counsel and the witness, he admitted that they were trained to be killers.
“I have never participated in the jungulars operations,” the witness stated.
He said in the year 2007, he joined the National Intelligence Agency as a security guard and later was promoted to be an operative under the Operations Unit at the NIA under one Edrisa Jobe popularly known as Alagie Morr.
“I have never participated in the torture of any person at the NIA,” the witness repeated, adding that he left the NIA and joined the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency- Gambia (NDLEA).
He said at the Drug Squad, he has never participated in the torture of any person. Senghore told the Commission that he has never done any trainings in relation to interrogation.
“How would you rate your success then?” Counsel Faal inquired.
“The rate of my success was very high,” the witness replied.
It was at this point that the Lead Counsel emphasized to the witness that lying before the Commission has consequences and if it is found out that he was lying, then he will face the consequences for lying.
“Would you maintain your testimony?” the Lead Counsel asked.
“Yes. I maintain my testimony as correct,” the witness replied.