The cross-examination of the lead investigator (PW15) in the ongoing treason trial involving the former Chief of Defence Staff, Lt. Gen. Lang Tombong Tamba and seven others, last Friday continued at the High Court in Banjul.
Cross-examination of PW15 by the defence counsel SM Tambedou
Q- Do you know that the 3rd accused was the Director of Intelligence and Security, at the Gambia Armed Forces?
A- I am not aware.
Q- You know he was one time Director General of NIA?
A- Yes.
Q- You also know as the Director General of NIA, he was in contact with 1st, 2nd and 5th accused persons?
A- I cannot ascertain.
Q- Do you know the former IGP Ensa Badjie?
B- Yes.
Q- Do you know that a mobile number 9960288 belongs to the former IGP Ensa Badjie?
A- I don't know.
Q- Did the panel investigate the former IGP in connection with this case?
A- Not to my knowledge.
Q- Why was he not investigated?
A- I cannot tell, because there was no complaint against the former IGP to the panel.
Q- Did the panel investigate PW1's claim that he spent the night of 18th November 2009 in Kanilai?
A- I am not aware.
Q- Did the panel investigate the claim of PW1 that the 7th accused person had issued a cheque in support of the coup?
A- I was not aware.
Q- Did the panel investigate the bank account of the 7th accused person?
A- Not to my knowledge.
Q- Why was PW1, Ebrima Marreh, not confronted with the 7th accused?
A- They were confronted, my lord.
Q- I am putting it to you that 7th accused was never confronted with PW1?
A- Not to my knowledge.
Q- Why was Ebrima Marreh not charged with treason?
A- I can't tell why he was not charged.
Q- Officer do you know that the 1st accused and the 8th accused are best of friends?
A- I don't know.
Q- Do you know that 1st and 8th accused persons had lunch together everyday?
A- Not to my knowledge.
Q- Do you know that the 1st and the 8th accused persons play football every Monday, Wednesday and Friday?
A- I don't know.
Q- I am putting to you that the 1st and the 8th accused persons, since 1995, play together and have lunch together.
A- I don't know.
Q- Did the panel investigate the visit of the 1st accused to Guinea-Bissau?
A- The panel did not investigate.
Q- Did you know that the 1st accused lost his father on the 11th of September 2009?
A- I heard people saying it.
Q- Did you also know that the 1st accused lost his mother-in-law on the 25 July 2009?
A- I'm not aware.
Q- Do you know that there was a seven-day charity at his father's residence in Siffoe?
A- I'm not aware, and it's normal as Muslims.
Q- Officer it would be reasonable to expect senior officers of the various security services to call (telephone) the 1st accused on the demise of his father, and his mother-in-law?
A- That is natural.
Q- Did the panel investigate which country the website was?
A- A website is a website, and anybody can browse it.
Q- Did the panel investigate whether it was posted by Kukio Sanyang?
A- We did not investigate, but based on the information.
Q- Since you received exhibit P25, has the NIA or the investigating panel been monitoring?
A- Not to my knowledge.
Q- You are aware that the 1st accused is the first Gambian to hold the ranks of Brigadier General, Major General, Lt. General in the Gambia Armed Forces?
A- Yes, that is true.
Q- It is, therefore, reasonable to expect senior officers in various security services to call the 1st accused to congratulate him on his landmark achievements?
A- I cannot ascertain.
Q- Take a look at exhibit 18th. Do you recognise the people in the picture?
A- I recognise the faces.
Q- The last gentleman in the picture, do you recognise him?
A- Yes.
Q- He works at the NIA?
A- Yes.
Q- He obtained statements in this case?
A- Yes.
Q- What department does he work for at the NIA?
A- He works at the Operation Unit.
Q- Take a look at exhibit 17A and 17B, the people who are on parade on 17A and 17B, are wearing the same clothes?
A- Yes.
Q- How long have you been a security officer?
A- 1970 to date.
Q- You are the leader of the investigating team?
A- Yes, and I have a deputy.
Q- Do you know that the 1st accused was the First-Vice President of the Gambia Football Association?
A- I don't know.
Q- When the under-17 team secured victory, you expect people to call him and congratulate?
A- That is natural.
Q- You know that the 1st accused was elected President of the Gambia National Olympic Committee (GNOC)?
A- I don't know.
Q- Do you know that the 1st accused person was the President of the National Inter-departmental Sports Association (NISA)?
A- I don't know.
Q- Do you know that all the services are members of NISA?
A- Yes.
Cross-examination of PW15 by Defence Counsel PC Secka
Q- You as the head of the investigating team requested for the printouts that were exhibited in court?
A- The panel requested it.
Q- Do you know who received the printouts on behalf of the panel?
A- In service, there is network in whatever you are doing. I am not the particular individual who received it.
Q- Do you know if those printouts were studied by the panel?
A- Those who were assigned must have studied it. That is not part of my assignment.
Q- As the leader of the investigating panel, who assigns you?
A- My Director-General.
Q- When PW1, Ebrima Marreh, was arrested in Farafenni and brought to the NIA, did you see him on the 19th November 2009?
A- No.
Q- When did you see him?
A- On the 21st November 2009, when he was brought to the panel for investigation.
Q- Before the 21st November 2009, did you see the statement Ebrima Marreh made at Farafenni?
A- I saw it on the 21st of November 2009, when Ebrima Marreh was brought to the panel.
Q- Do you remember Ebrima Marreh saying in that statement, that the former IGP Ensa Badjie, the present NIA Director-General, and others had a meeting at the former IGP's office, where he learnt about the coup plot?
A- I did not come across that statement.
Q- Was the report made to the panel about the study of the printouts?
A- I have no idea.
Q- Do you know that according to the printouts, none of the accused persons made or received calls from the two numbers attributed by you in exhibit P23 to Kukoi Samba Sanyang?
A- I don't know.
Q- Do you also know from those printouts that PW1 records had Kukoi Samba Sanyang’s number listed on 16 November 2009?
A- I am not an expert.
Q- Do you know that the printouts that came from the NIA show that none of the accused persons received or made calls listed for Rui Jabbi Kassama?
A- I don't know.
Q- Officer, do you also know, according to the telephone printouts PW1 did not communicate with the 1st and 5th accused persons on the 19th November 2009?
A- I don't know.
Hearing continues today.
