As the trial on charges of treason and sedition involving former Information Minister reaches its climax, one Lamin Drammeh, Technical Manager and head of the Technical Department of Comium GSM Company, yesterday testified before the court.
Drammeh, who was in court to show the printout of mobile phone calls purportedly made by Dr Janneh, told the court that he resides at Yarambamba Estate.
He informed the court that his department runs the technical equipment that records all calls processed inside the GSM company’s switch.
He told the Special Criminal Court in Banjul that his office received a request from police headquarters, requesting call details record (CDR) of a specific number which he could not recall in court, adding that they processed the number.
But he told the court that they informed the police that they do not process requests from the police directly, but through the National Intelligence Agency office that has a liaison officer stationed at Gamtel that they work with in processing certain information.
Drammeh said they used a billing computer to retrieve the number from their system through their call details record, adding that the said computer was in good working condition.
The local GSM firm official further explained to the court how such retrievals are done using their database, from which they make printouts of calls made by the said subscriber.
Asked by the DDP whether he would be able to identify the said printout, the witness replied in the affirmative and was shown the said document which he recognized in court.
The DPP then applied to tender the document as an exhibit, and it was marked and admitted without any objection from the defence counsel.
The witness said the mobile phone number was 6161981 and the registered subscriber was A.S Janneh.
Under cross-examination by defence counsel LS Camara, the witness told the court that it is a requirement when a subscriber buys a SIM card for he or she to give details.
He said he did not know whether Janneh filled the normal subscribers form, but said his name is in the database, in answer to another question by counsel.
He said they take details from the subscribers and fill their database, but could not recall when the registration of SIM cards started in The Gambia.
“You want to tell the court that all Comium numbers are registered,” counsel enquired, and the witness replied in the negative.
Asked how many colour numbers are on the exhibit, the witness said, “five.”
Further asked whether there was any colour number that bears A.S Janneh, the witness replied in the negative.
He later said the registration of SIM cards started in January of this year, in response to another question by counsel.
State prosecutors accused Dr. Janneh on count one of treason, stating that he conspired with Ndey Tapha Sosseh, Mathew K. Jallow, Famara Demba, and others at large on 26th May 2011 in diverse places in The Gambia to overthrow the government of The Gambia.
Dr Janneh, Ndey Tapha Sosseh, Mathew K. Jallow, and Famara Demba were also accused of preparing to overthrow the government of the Gambia by unlawful means on 26th May 2011 in diverse places in the Gambia and elsewhere.
On count three, prosecutors further charged Dr. Janneh, Modou Keita, Ebrima Jallow, and Micheal C. Ucheh Thomas with seditious acts.
Prosecutors said the four accused persons and others at large conspired amongst themselves on 26th May 2011 at diverse places in The Gambia to print and distribute 100 T-shirts which carried seditious statements to wit; “Coalition for Change” the Gambia: “End Dictatorship Now.”
Dr. Janneh, Modou Keita, Ebrima Jallow, Micheal C.Ucheh, and others at large are also accused to have on 26th May 2011 at diverse places in The Gambia with intent to cause or bring into hatred, contempt or excite disaffection against the person of the president or the government of The Gambia, printed and distributed 100 T-shirt carrying seditious statements to wit; “Coalition for Change” the Gambia: “End Dictatorship Now.”
It would be recalled that Dr. Janneh and his co-accused were previously arraigned at the Banjul Magistrate Court, charged with treason, conspiracy and sedition but the matter was later transferred to the high court, which has jurisdiction to hear the case.
Banjul Magistrate Court, charged with treason, conspiracy and sedition but the matter was later transferred to the high court, which has jurisdiction to hear the case.Dr. Janneh was a former political science lecturer in the US and at one time a political and economic affairs officer at the US Embassy in Banjul.
