Schoolboy Testifies Against Coup Plotters in Court
Yankuba Jambang, Editor & Publisher, Senegambianews.com
Published 03/22/2010 - 9:05 p.m. GMT Rate This Article:
Credit - Daily Observer Ex-Military Chief, Gen Lang Tombong Tamba ( in
striped long sleeves) implicated by a boy he sponsored in school. He's
pictured here with co-conspirators leaving the High Court on Friday,
March 19, 2010 Slide Show ABOUT THE AUTHOR
A schoolboy from Foni Bwiam, Ebrima Marreh, said he was part of the
group of alleged coup plotters who attended three meetings at former
army chief Gen Tamba's Kololi home.
Marreh, the first prosecution witness to testify against Gen Tamba and
six others accused of plotting to overthrow president Jammeh's
government, said the secret meetings were attended by former deputy
inspector General of police, Modou Gaye, Lt Colonel Kawsu Camara
(Bombardier), Brigadier General Omar Bun Mbaye, Abdoulie Joof, Yousef
Ezziden, Ndure Cham and Kukoi Samba Sanyang.
Ndure Cham, Gen Tamba's predecessor who is wanted for leading the 2006
abortive coup plot, and Kukoi Samba Sanyang the leader of the 1981
failed rebellion against Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara's PPP government, are
believed to be hiding in neighboring Senegal.
Marreh's testimony raised eyebrows because most observers believe Kukoi
and Ndure Cham could not have been in the Gambia when they were the
most wanted Gambians on Jammeh's list.
The witness said he was told that someone was sent to Guinea Conakry to
procure arms and ammunition for the purpose of the coup plot. Marreh
said Bombardier was assigned the task to monitor president Jammeh's
movements at his ranch in Kanilai.
General Tamba was supposed to be the coup leader and was tasked with
the provision of vehicles for the coup, the court heard.
The other two alleged accomplices, Lie Joof and Yousef Ezziden, were
tasked with financing the coup plot, the schoolboy said. He said
General Tamba told him that they had already sent one Rui Jabbi Gassama
to Conakry to secure arms and ammunition for the coup.
Ebrima Marreh was under Gen Tamba's care for the past two years, and
it's believed the embattled army chief paid for Marreh's school fees at
the Gambia Technical Training Institute, GTTI.
Earlier, defense attorney Awa Ceesay-Sabally, submitted a lengthy
application asking the Court to remove one of her clients, Yusef
Ezziden, from Mile II prison and confine him to his home. Sabally said
Ezziden suffers from heart problems and should be given privilege to be
cared for by his relatives. The judge is expected to make a ruling on
her application by Thursday.
The trial continues tomorrow.
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