Tuesday 22nd October 2019 Issue
Edward Singhatey has debunked testimonies of earlier TRRC witnesses, who alleged that he had participated in the killing of one-time finance minister Ousman Koro Ceesay on 29th June, 1995.
“The
last time I saw Koro alive was when I went to see former President Yahya Jammeh
at the airport during his departure,” Mr Singhatey, who was the then vice
chairman of the military junta that toppled Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara in July
1994 told the truth-seeking Commission on Monday.
He
said he was informed by Alhagie Mustapha Wada the following morning that the
finance minister Koro Ceesay had died.
He said he attended Koro’s burial but there were suspicions that he was
killed by soldiers.”
According
to him, after the burial, an investigation was conducted and handed over to
Jammeh. He said Koro was involved in a money business from Libya that was sent
through the Gambia government to be given to the rebels in Cassamance.
“I
got to know about this when I was with Jammeh and Samba Bah the former NIA
director. Jammeh was complaining about the border closure. He said we have some
good news because Libya had sent money to the rebels in Casamance and Koro was
always in support of Jammeh and he suggested means of transferring the money.”
He
also said it was later that he came to learn that the NIA also conducted an
independent investigation about the incident. “The money was given to Koro to
give to the rebels because the former NIA head feels it necessary for Koro to
go.”
The
Commission’s lead Counsel Essa Faal read a statement of one of the witnesses
who alleged that he –Singhatey- was in fact, part of those who assassinated
Koro, but he denied the allegation.
In
another statement read by lead counsel Faal, Singhatey was accused of being
jealous of Koro because he was so close to Jammeh, which resulted to his
assassination by him –Singhatey- something he strongly denied.
Koro
Ceesay’s sister, Ya Bajan Cessay had earlier testified before the Commission
and said that her mother told her that Koro had an argument with Singhatey and
he threatened to kill him, but Singhatey denied that allegation as well.
Lead
Counsel Faal said Lamin S Marong, Singhatey’s one-time orderly said that he –
Singhatey- had asked them to pass by Yankuba Touray’s compound on the day of
Koro’s assassination but later asked them to go home because he needed no
orderly. Singhatey maintained that he
was not dropped at Touray’s compound.
In
another statement by witness Lamin Fatty, also one of his former orderlies,
stated that on the day Koro was assassinated, they dropped Singateh at Touray’s
house but he –Singateh- said Fatty made a mistake in his statement.
Counsel
Faal said Yankuba Touray’s drivers, Jah Ndum Ceesay, Essa Mendy and Lamin Ndure
had all said that they saw Singhatey at Touray’s house at night. He added that
the evidence also indicated that Singhatey spoke to Jammeh at the foot of the
aircraft before his departure.
Faal
also said that evidence suggest that on the day of Koro’s assassination Yankuba
Touray’s family was transferred to Singhatey’s house, while the guards were
told to go for patrol because the country was under attack. Singhatey denied
that he was not aware and denied all suggested evidences.
In
the statement of Alhagie Kanji, which was televised for Singateh, Kanji said
that Singateh briefed them that they were going to get rid of one fucking cont,
adding that he did the assassination with Peter Singhatey, Pa Alieu Gomez, Tumbul
Tamba, BK Jatta and Yankuba Touray.
Kanji
narrated that after their debriefing at Singhatey’s house at Cap Point, they
proceeded to Cpt. Yankuba Touray’s residence around Senegambia at around 8 pm.
“Upon
arrival, Edward asked us to stay because they have an activity at the airport
and what they briefed us was that they will be coming with one minister. That
night, none of Yankuba Touray’s guards were around neither his family members.
We were waiting there and after sometime, Peter came in and said they are
coming. I saw Edward and Yankuba with a civilian who he said was a minister.
Edward led and I followed and there was an attack from the back. Edward hit and
asked me and Peter to hit and later called others to hit till the man died. The
remains were taken by Edward Singhatey, Peter Singhatey and Yankuba Touray,”
Kanji said.
Singhatey
however denied the allegation by Kanji, calling it totally false. He said he
never work with Kanji.
Counsel
Faal put it on him that he had denied 50 allegations that he was adversely
mentioned in.