FOROYAA Newspaper (Serrekunda)
Fabakary B. Ceesay
26 June 2009
Sixteen (16) people, twelve Senegalese and four Gambian citizens who have been charged with terrorism on Wednesday 24 June, were escorted to the Brikama Magistrates' Court amid heavy security by the police intervention personnel (PIU), armed with guns, batons, and dressed in riot gears with gas canisters.
However, the case could not proceed as the presiding magistrate was on the process of vacating the court for a new appointment as Sheriff of the high court.
The accused persons namely, Alasan Thomas Jarjue, Maulud Badgie, Lansana Prosper Sambou, Ousman Jarjue, Mansour Jatta, Sedat Jatta, Fabia Nyafuneh, Sedat Jatta, Pap Ousman Badjie, Abdoulie Jatta, Mumini Bah, Abdoulie Jarjue, are Senegalese believed to be from the Casamance region. The four Gambians are Kebba Secka, formerly an NIA operative, Sam Kambai, a former Sergeant, Gambia Armed Forces, Samsideen Jammeh, a native of Sutusingjang in the Foni Berefet, and believed to be a timber dealer between Cassamance and Gambia and Kemo Conteh.
The sixteen accused persons first appeared before former principal magistrate Pa Harry Jammeh on the 10 June and charged with "Prohibition of Act of Terrorism contrary to section 3(1) of the Anti Terrorism Act 2002.
The particulars of offence states that the 16 people on 8 August 2006, at Darsilameh in Western Region and diverse places in the Gambia jointly conducted or engaged themselves in an unlawful act which may have seriously destabilized or destroyed the fundamental political, constitutional, economic and social structures of the Gambia. They all pleaded not guilty to the charges and none of them is represented by a legal counsel.
The three Gambians, Samsideen Jammeh, was said to be arrested at the Bullock police station onboard a motor bike on 14 January 2007 and later detained at Sibanor police station for more than a week before he was moved to the Banjul police station at the police headquarters. The family said he was detained at the police cell since then up to early January 2009, when he was transferred to Mile 2 Prison. They said he was not charged for more than two years.
Kebba Secka's family said he was also missing since 14 May 2007, at his work place at the tourist development area (TDA) as an O/C of the national intelligent agency (NIA). They said they never saw him since then but only heard that he was been detained at mile 2 prison. Mr. Secka is a native of Niumi Albreda.
Sam Kambai, formerly, a Sergeant of the Gambia Armed Forces (GAF), was first spotted among MFDC rebels at the Kanifing Magistrates Court some two years ago. They were later separated and nine of them were later tried and convicted at the Banjul Magistrates' Court. He was said to have been in detention since 2006, at Mile 2 Prison.
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