GPA Operations Manager testifies in ex-MD Tambedou’s case

Mr Tambedou faces a four-count charge, all relating to giving false information to a public officer, charges he had since denied.

Sanyang said he recognised the accused person as being a former Managing Director of the Gambia Ports Authority (GPA).

“Some time in December 2012, I was called upon at the Police Headquarters in Banjul. Upon my arrival, I was shown a petition letter written by the accused person to the Office of the President,” he said.

He added that the accused person in that letter made so many allegations against him and the GPA, as an institution, and he confirmed the said petition letter in court.

Asked by the prosecuting officer, Sgt Manga, whether there was any confrontation between him and the accused person, Sanyang told the court that the accused person used to be his very good friend, and people at the ports know that.

“In July 2012, I was on leave starting from 4 June to October 2012, but I was asked to report in August 2012,” he said.

He said he had made a statement to the police, which he confirmed in court.

Under cross-examination, Sanyang admitted that he went through the said petition letter at the police, but it did not indicate anywhere that he (Sanyang) wanted to knock Tambedou down with his vehicle.

Meanwhile, during yesterday’s proceedings, the court delivered a ruling on the objection raised by the defence counsel L.S, Camara, to the tendering of the petition letter in evidence, during the last court sitting.

The court overruled the defence objection, and admitted the petition letter as an exhibit.

The first prosecution witness (PW1), Cadet Superintendent Modou Sowe, continued his testimony under cross-examination and told the court that the accused person gave his version in the presence of his colleagues.

He added that both the police and the accused person did their own investigation pertaining to the case.

The case was then adjourned to 15 January 2013, for continuation.

The particulars of offence on count one read that Abdoulie Tambedou, on 13 August 2012, in Banjul, within the jurisdiction of the court, wrote a petition letter with reference number GPA/MD (1) to the Office of the President, alleging that indiscipline is being meted out to him by the associates and relatives of his predecessor, Momodou Lamin Gibba, by way of making derogatory remarks towards him and the GPA management with intent to make the GPA ungovernable for him and the information he knew to be false at the time.

Count two stated that Abdoulie Tambedou, on 13 August 2012, in Banjul, within the jurisdiction of the court, wrote a letter with reference number GPA/MD (1) to the Office of the President that he had actually informed his predecessor, Momodou Lamin Gibba of the problems he had with his alleged relatives and associates in which he distanced himself from their actions, an information he knew to be false at the time.

Count three stated that Abdoulie Tambedou, on 13 August 2012, in Banjul, within the jurisdiction of the court, wrote a letter with reference number GPA/MD (1) to the Office of the President, that if he had taken an action against Lamin Sanyang and Ebou Gibba, the duo would have definitely written to the President’s office complaining of tribalism, an information he knew to be false at the time.

Count four stated that Abdoulie Tambedou, some time in December, 2012, at the Police Headquarters in Banjul, within the jurisdiction of the court, he allegedly told the panel of investigators that Lamin L. Sanyang attempted to knock him down with his car during one of his visits to the PWD container terminal in July 2012, an information he knew to be false.