FOROYAA Newspaper (Serrekunda)
Musa Barrow
11 November 2009
Defence in Musa Susso's trial closed its case on Tuesday 10th November 2009 with the testimony of the accused person.
Appearing before Magistrate Kayode Olajubutu of Bundung Magistrates' Court, Mr. Susso who is defence witness number six said he was invited to police headquarters where he was interrogated by a panel of security personnel headed by the then Crime Management Coordinator Essa Badjie and a later panel headed by Burama Dibba who replaced Badjie.
He said in 2007 when he first appeared before the panel, he was asked about Sim Card allegedly found in the cell he was occupying.
More details about Susso's testimony end cross examination will be published on our Friday's edition. Meanwhile we publish the testimony of Sunkary Jarjue, ex-prison warden.
Ex-Prison Officer Testifies in Musa Susso's Trial
A former prison warden Sunkary Jarjue who resides in Faraba Banta on Monday 9 November 2009 testified in the ongoing trial of Musa Susso before Magistrate Kayode Olajubutu of Bundung Magistrates' Court. Mr Jarjue who is defence witness number five (DW5) told the court that he had been a prison officer from 15 February 1994 to 15 June 2009.
Jarjue who voluntarily retired from the prison service said he knew the accused Musa Susso and David Colley as well as one Ebou Khan. Asked by defence counsel Lamin Jobarteh where he was staying during the period he was a prison warden, DW5 said he stayed at the prison quarters.
As to whether anything transpired between David Colley, Musa Susso and Ebou Khan, Jarjue replied in the positive. According to Jarjue while Musa Susso and other prisoners were on board a truck when they used to ferry sand, Khan saw them and felt sorry that they were being transported by a truck.
He further said a discussion transpired between the accused person Musa Susso and Ebou Khan which he witnessed.
He also told the court that he was given prior knowledge by David Colley that Ebou Khan was coming to mile two to visit Musa Susso.
DW5 said during Khan's conversation with Susso, the former told the latter that he felt bad when he saw him on board a truck while they were being transported to high court in Banjul.
He said Musa Susso also told Khan to tell David Colley to let him provide them with another vehicle. After discussion with Susso, DW5 said Khan left for David Colley's office and the two later emerged out at the kitchen where a Nisan petrol was given by ex-interior secretary of state.
He said David told Khan that the said Nissan petrol had a break down. He further testified that Khan told Colley to send his orderly, one Solo Manga, to Castle Petrol Station where Khan worked and he (Khan) was going to give Colley some fuel.
After the accused was taken to high court in Banjul, DW5 said Khan told Musa Susso that he gave fuel to David Colley.
Asked how he heard Khan saying that to Susso, he said he was present when Khan said so.
Jarjue further admitted to have written a statement at a police station and said the statement in question was written for him by one Jabang who was a police officer.
At this stage defence counsel Lamin Jobarteh produced a statement which the witness confirmed as his.
Lawyer Jobarteh tendered it and it was admitted and mark as defence Exhibit 57.
DW5 further testified that a German national refused to eat while in prison, because a dead cow was brought from Yundum for consumption by prisoners.
He said during the period dead cow was cooked at mile two, a number of prisoners died.
Regard those died during hat period, he said one Modou Sanuwo, Njaka Sillah, Malang Kandeh, Ebrima Badjie, Morro Manneh, and Kalifa Banja who were all prisoners died during the period dead cow was cooked at mile two.
He also told court that Lang Conteh had certain privileges while at mile two which he should have got, adding that he did not show his discharge card at the gate of mile two.
He also testified that two have been times when private vehicle came to mile two and pick up some prisoners to private clinics.
In his cross examination, chief superintendent Tijan Badjie, the prosecutor told DW5 that in his statement he did not make mention of anything about that and his reply was that the statement was written by one Jabang who eventually told him that he was tired of writing.
He insisted he knew something about Khan and Colley after it was put to him by the prosecutor that he was there to settle personal vendetta with Colley. He also refuted prosecutor Badjie's assertion that he testified as defence witness, because he was angry with David Colley who did not promote him.
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