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By Halimatou Ceesay
The 9th prosecution witness Kebba Secka in the ongoing Murder trial involving Nine NIA Top officials before Justice Kumba Sillah Camara yesterday told the court that the NIA agents did nothing that resulted to Solo Sandeng’s death.
The witness was responding to question from the 1st accused Yankuba Badjie’s lawyer C.E Mene.
The accused persons are: Yankuba Badjie, former director of NIA, Louis Gomez, former deputy director of NIA, Saikou Omar Jeng, former director of Operations NIA, Haruna Susso, Yusupha Jammeh, Tamba Masireh, Lamin Darboe and Baboucarr Sallah, and Lamin Lang Sanyang a doctor.
During cross examination, C.E Mene asked: “you were sworn on the Quran, you therefore agree that you have the duty to speak the truth and nothing but the truth in this case.”
“That’s correct”, the witness said.
“When did the interview of the suspects at the conference Hall commenced on that faithful day?” Mene asked.
“From the arrival of the suspects between 7 to 8pm”, he said.
“When did the interview session ends?” Mene asked.
“It ends around 01:00hrs”, he said.
“The video recording played in this court does not contain time so can you help us with the exact time?” Mene asked.
“I don’t know the exact time”, witness said.
“The interview session that you had with the suspects was in respect of 15 suspects”, Mene said.
“I cannot remember”, the witness said.
“Is it correct, is it not that during the course of the interview several suspects explain how they were arrested?” Mene asked.
“I cannot recalled that”, says the witness.
“It is also correct that during the course of the interview many of the suspects told the panel that they were arrested by the PIU”, Mene said.
“No, I cannot remember”, he said.
“Is it not the case that during the course of the interview many of the suspects complain bitterly that they were beaten by the PIU in the course of their arrest?” Mene asked.
“No, I cannot remember”, he said.
“During the course of the interview did any of the suspects complain of being beaten or tortured by the NIA officers?” Mene asked.
“No, I cannot remember that”, he said.
“If any of the suspects have said anything like that during the interview would of you have remembered?” Mene asked.
“Yes, I will remember”, witness said.
“In your evidence-in-chief, you said during the course of the interview you have notice the 1st accused was at the door of the conference hall and that you know this because you heard him repeat a question you have asked. Is that correct?” Mene asked.
“Yes”, he said.
“You also said that the 3rd accused Saikou Omar Jeng at some point you realize that he was present because you heard him saying Fatoumata Jawara should be helped to sit properly. Is that correct?” Mene asked.
“Yes”, he said.
“Apart from repeating a question and asking to help Fatoumata Jawara to be helped, did any of the accused persons did anything harmful to any of the suspects during the interview?” Mene asked.
“No,” witness said.
“What you did at the conference Hall interviewing the suspects was in the course of your duty as an NIA officer. Is that correct?” Mene asked.
“As an NIA Investigator, Yes,” he said.
“In the course of your duty as an NIA investigator, was any of the suspects hit and tortured in the course of the interview?” Mene asked.
“No,” he said.
“You said one of the people you interviewed at the hall was Solo Sandeng. Is that correct?” Mene asked.
“Yes,” he said.
“You understand that Solo was neither the 1st or last person you interviewed that night?” Mene asked.
“That’s Correct,” he said.
“Did any of your agents do anything during the entire session at the hall that would result to his death?” Mene asked.
“No,” he said.
“Exactly at what time did you notice that the 1st accused was at the door of the hall repeating the question you have asked?” Mene asked.
“I don’t know the time,” he said.
“Who was the suspect you were interviewing at the time?” Mene asked.
“It was Solo Sandeng,” he said.
“Which question did you asked Solo Sandeng which the 1st accused repeated while at the door of the conference hall?” Mene asked.
“I cannot remember,” he said.
“At that time did anybody tie the hands, neck, legs and body of Solo Sandeng?” Mene asked.
“No, I don’t see that,” he said.
“If that has happen, would you have seen it?” Mene asked.
“During the course of the interview, No,” he said.
“You said in 2007, you were tortured as an officer of the NIA?” Mene asked.
“That’s Correct,” he said.
“When did you joined the NIA?” Mene asked.
“In 1997,” he said.
“By 2007 when you were tortured, you have 10 years as NIA agent. Is that correct?” Mene asked.
“That’s correct,” he said.
“Who was the DG of NIA when you were tortured in 2007?” Mene asked.
“The late Pa Jallow,” he said.
“So it was correct, is it not that the 1st accused was not the DG of NIA in 2007?” Mene asked.
“That’s correct,” he said.
The case is adjourned to Tuesday 6th February,