Editor Jobe continues testimony under cross-examination

The deputy editor-in-chief of the Daily Observer Newspaper, Alhagie Jobe, continued his testimony under cross-examination in the trial involving him and one Mbye Bittaye, at the Special Criminal Court in Banjul before Justice Emmanuel Nkea.

Alhagie Jobe was arraigned on a five-count charge of making an act with seditious intention, seditious publication, and possession of seditious publication, giving false information to a public servant, and recklessness and negligence, while Mbye Bittaye was arraigned on a single count of making preparation to do an act with seditious intention.

Further responding to questions, Jobe told the court that Madikhan Jobarteh (PW4) was a colleague at the Daily Observer Newspaper, adding that he knows PW2, Baturr Ceesay, who is his co-tenant.

He adduced that at the time arrest was effected on him, it was in the presence of Baturr Ceesay, adding that his duty of work was more than from morning to midnight.

“My closing at work depends on the job,” he said, adducing that he was arrested on Friday, a fateful day for him that he did not go to work. He said further that the Daily Observer does not publish on Saturday.

Asked whether all the reporters have specialized areas or beats of reporting on, he said not all the reporters have a specialized beat, because nobody was assigned to cover foreign news, and Dumbuya equally had no specialized area of reporting.

It was put to him that there was nobody in the Daily Observer newspaper called Ousainou Dumbuya; but Jobe replied that there was a reporter at the Daily Observer called Dumbuya.

“I am making it clear that he does not report to me, but instead to the MD, Faye,” he said, denying further that he never used CUG line to make international calls.

Further quizzed on how he used to communicate with Major Lamin Touray, Jobe said he never communicated with any Lamin Touray.

Editor Jobe elucidated that the computer that was found in his office, was the property of the Daily Observer Newspaper, and he was only using it for official purposes.

The case continues.