Police Netted Civilian Over Alpha Omar's Murder

Police PRO Yerro Mballow

The Gambia Police Force have in their custody a man linked to the murder of Alpha Omar Jobe in Manjai-Kunda.
Jobe, a 22-year-old Gambian born of Guinean parents died on Friday Dec. 16 following a severe torture unleashed on him allegedly by the National Drug Enforcement Agency (NDEA), personnel at Manjai Police station.
But the police spokesperson Yerro Mballow, said the suspect in their custody is a civilian.
However reports have it that Lamin Jarju, NDEA officer whose name featured prominently in the saga has absconded to Cassamance, southern province of Senegal.
Mr Mballow, meanwhile, said “I’m not aware of that. We only have one suspect in our custody and pursuing the rest.”
The suspect whose name is yet to be disclosed is now helping the police in their investigation, according to Mr Mballow.
“I cannot reveal his name because it might jeopardise our investigation as we are chasing others,” Mballow added.
He said the police are relying on the public to come forward and give information.
“If anybody knows where the rest of the suspects are, let them come forward and inform the police,” he advised.

‘NIA Officers Tortured My Men’

fired NDEA Chief Bun Sanneh

Ebrima Bun Sanneh, former executive director of National Drug Enforcement Agency has told the Special Criminal Division of the High Court in Banjul that National Intelligence officers have tortured his men, anti drug officers for obstructing what was infact in their domain (drug).
“Lamin Kabou, who managed to escape was screaming when he rushed into my office naked, blood all over his body with wounds,” Bun Sanneh told the court yesterday as he defends against multiple charges levied against him.
He is standing trial alongside four former top anti-narcotic officials, Karamo Bojang, his deputy, Ousman Sanneh, operations commander, Seedy  Bojang and Marie Sanneh the only female are facing 30 counts of corruption and drug related charges at high court in Banjul. They all pleaded not guilty.
“They (NIA) were about to kill me” Bun heard Lamin said while on the floor..
He added: “I called Lamin Bo Badjie, then Director General of NIA and informed him, but he hang up the phone.
“After some minutes, Alhajie Morr Jobe and Ebrima Drammeh, all intelligence officers forcefully entered my office. My commander wanted to arrest them, but I intervened.”
Bun further told the court that Alhaji Morr Jobe told him that he was after his prisoner, Lamin Kabou who was still lying on the floor.

Embattled ex-NDEA Chief Bun Sanneh Put up Defence

 

Embattled ex-NDEA Chief Bun Sanneh

Although his ordeal is far from over, the appearance of embattled ex-anti drug chief, who has been widely rumoured dead, was a sigh of relief to the sea of nervous family members and sympathisers.
Appearing in a not-so-bad mental and physical shape, Ibrahim Bun Sanneh, attired in a modest Kaftan showed up at the High Court in Banjul in the escort of state security services from the country’s central prison, Mile Two, where he is being remanded, and where two people came out dead in two weeks.
The former executive director of the National Drug Enforcement Agency (NDEA) is facing multiple criminal charges alongside four of his juniors – Seedy Bojang, his deputy, Ousman Sanneh, operations commander and Mary Sanneh.
The charges against the five former top anti-narcotic agents, who were fired last year in the wake of the saga, include corruption, theft, illegal possession of firearms, drugs, among others. They all pleaded not guilty.
Several witnesses had testified for the state. On Monday, it was Ibrahim Bun Sanneh turn to clear himself of the allegations on which if found guilty, could land them in jail for several years.
According to the former anti-drug chief, at some point during his time as head of the anti drug agency, there was a conflict of interest with the National Intelligence Agency (NIA).
This, he revealed, started when Alhaji Morr Jobe was deployed from the NIA to NDEA as Operations Commander.

Ocean Bay Hotel Boss Freed on Drugs

 

Mr Juergen Odenwald

The magistrates’ court in Banjul yesterday dropped the drug charges against Mr Juergen Odenwald, general manager of Ocean Bay hotel in Bakau Cape Point.
The five star hotel boss was put under trial when bundles of cannabis were discovered in a hotel vehicle allocated to him in April this year by anti-narcotics agents.
Mr Odenwald was detained for two days before he was granted bail. He appeared at court on April 26 and charged with possession of illicit drugs, but he pleaded not guilty.
The hotel manager’s trial however suffered a number of setbacks in recent times following the alleged arrest of the anti-narcotics agent that led his arrest and scores of Ocean Bay staff. Word has been that they framed up the hotel manager in the saga, but this has not been officially confirmed.

Bun Sanneh: 'Mmang Fa Folodeh' - I’m Not Dead Yet

Bun Sanneh

Saddened and depressed, Mrs Mariama Sanneh's face bore hardness at the sight of her embattled husband put in chains and shackles at the High Court in Banjul yesterday, but she was able to put up a wry smile 
Her husband, Ebrima Bun Sanneh, former chief of The Gambia’s anti drug agency was wildly rumored dead on Monday.
Facing trial for multiple crimes which he denied, Mr Sanneh alongside four of his former senior colleagues is being remanded at Gambia’s Central Prison pending the outcome of their high profile trial.
The former NDEA chief was in a prison where information rarely leaks in or out, but he has apparently heard of the rumour of his death, which came the day the body of former majority leader of parliament, Baba Jobe, who had been kept at the same prison, was released for burial.
“Mmang faa folodeh,” - (I am not dead yet) the embattled anti-drug chief told his wife when he emerged from the courtroom at the end of the day’s proceedings, which saw him defending his guiltless claims against allegations of corruption, drugs among others.
Mariama could not help it, but smiled at her husband’s teasing remarks even though he was to be whisked away to the same place where two people have so far came out dead in a period of around two weeks.
Details of the court proceedings will be published Friday.

‘Ex-Deputy Anti Drug Chief Gave-out Cocaine for Sale’

 

Ex-Anti Drug Chief

Mr Karamo Bojang, ex-deputy director general of National Drug Enforcement Agency has connived with his boss, Ebrima Bun Sanneh and gave over 500 grams of cocaine to one Manjang Janko to market for them, the court heard on Thursday.See.p.3
State prosecutor Ebrima Jaiteh revealed further that Manjang Janko sold the said drugs for 9, 000 US dollars and shared the proceeds with the fired top anti-narcotics agents.
But when he confronted Mr Ousman Sanneh, former operations commander of NDEA, the embattled anti drug agent denied the allegations.
Sacked in 2010, the five former top anti-narcotic officials: Ebrima Bun Sanneh, executive director, Karamo Bojang, his deputy, Ousman Sanneh, operations commander, Seedy  Bojang and Mary Sanneh the only female are facing 30 counts of corruption and drug related charges at high court in Banjul. They all pleaded not guilty.
“It is correct that the second accused person gave you some money from the $9, 000” the prosecution asked but the accused person said, it is not correct.

Police Inspector Freed on Drug Charge

 Inspector Buba Touray on Monday, July 18, 2011 went home as a free man after the magistrate decided to put an end to the four months trial for lack of conviction that the prosecution’s evidence was enough to jail the accused.

A native of Bakau in his 50s, Touray was arraigned at the Banjul Magistrate’s Court on February 27 on drug trafficking charge.

He was accused of been found in possession of 2 kilograms, 8 grams of drug (cannabis) in January this year in his house in Bakau.
He denied ownership of the drug.

The magistrate in his judgment held that Touray and all his witnesses, his wife and daughter remained ‘unshakeable’ even during cross-examination, who all insisted that, NDEA officers came with the same drug just to implicate Touray.

The magistrate further stated that prosecution has left the court in doubt because one Jarra, an NDEA officer who was mentioned throughout the trial was never brought by the prosecution.

 “In that, the court held that the prosecution has woefully failed to prove its case beyond all reasonable doubts.”

Touray who went home with loved ones was weeping when he was pronounced innocent by the court.

 “Thank you your worship,” he whispered while tears rolled down on his checks.

“I believe God’s time is the best,” said his tearful wife.

Disowned Lawmaker’s Drug Case Reaches Climax

ex-lawmaker

After three years of legal battle, the drug trial involving a former National Assembly member for Nianija constituency in Central River Region and former military officer is near conclusion.

Disowned by his ruling-APRC party in the wake of the drug saga, Dawda Manneh and Demba Baldeh are charged with possession and trafficking of illicit drug – cannabis - but pleaded not guilty.

When the case resumed on Monday July 18, 2011 at the Banjul Magistrate’s Court, the defense counsel has been given seven days to make final argument. That would be followed by the state lawyer seven days later before the magistrate will decide the fate of the two men, who dissociated themselves from over 9 kilograms of illicit drugs discovered in the vehicle of the former lawmaker. The former military officer was onboard.

Nine witnesses to the alleged crime testified against the accused persons.

The case resumes Wednesday, August 3.

Ex-Law Maker’s Drug Case Adjourned



ex-law maker

 The criminal trial of former National Assembly Member for Nianija constituency in the Central River Region Dawda Manneh and Demba Baldeh ex-soldier has been yesterday July 12 adjourned for the second accused to call his witness.
Acting Principal Magistrate Taiwo Ade Alagbe of the Banjul Magistrate’s Court has told the second accused to call his witness(s) on the next adjourned date.
“This is the third time the case has been adjourned in the instance of the defense” state counsel, Ebrima Sanneh told the court.
The case has reached its climax and it is expected that both parties will adopt their briefs after the defense closes it case.
Former Nianija NAM, Dawda Manneh and Demba Baldeh are standing trial on charges of being in possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking, as well as conspiracy. They were alleged to have conspired to traffic 9 kilograms and 260 grams of suspected drug (cannabis).

But both denied the ownership of the drugs.

Anti Drug Agent Accused of Planting Drugs in Hotel Manager's Vehicle

 



Ocean Bay Manager



The defense counsel representing Ocean Bay manager has accused Njaga O. Jatta of National Drug Enforcement Agency of putting drugs inside the vehicle of the accused person.
“All the drug allegation is a set up that you have machinated,” lawyer Kebba Sanyang challenged the anti drug agent. “You put the drugs inside the accused person’s vehicle.”
Mr. Jatta however denied allegation.
 Mr Juergen Odenwald, general manager of 5 star Ocean Bay Hotel and Resort is standing trial on a drug charge.
Juergen is alleged to have been found in possession of two parcels of cannabis sativa in his vehicle on April 23, 2011.
Barrister Sanyang further accused the witness of lying to the court by using the bible to swear in Christian while he is a Muslim.
“You just come to court lie that’s why you used the bible while swearing whereas you are Muslim” Sanyang added.
“It is not true,” the witness protested, “I am a Christian”
“Then which church do you attend and what is the name of the pastor at the churches you attend,” Sanyang quizzed further.
Agent Jatta said, he attends many churches, but did not know the names of any of the pastors.
Jatta denied the counsel’s report that the accused person and the drivers were sent to NDEA for weightment after they were released on bail.
“That is not correct because they were all taken while they were in custody” he added
The witness however did not tell the court the names of drivers and the officers he went with to arrest the accused person, though he recalls the deputy to the accused person, Alfusainey S.K Camara.
“So you have not forgotten the name of Camara while you forget those you went with to arrest the accused,” counsel further advanced.
When asked if he had telephone conversation with Camara, the witness said he did but only after the arrest of the accused.

The case will resume on July, 1 2011.

Witness Denies Finding Drugs With Hotel Manager But…”

Njaga O Jatta, Anti-Narcotic agent on Friday said he did not find drugs (cannabis) with the Ocean Bay general manager at the time of his arrest in April 23, 2011.
The general manager of 5 star Ocean Bay Hotel Mr Juergen Odenwald and Resort is standing trial on a drug charge.
Juergen is alleged to have been found in possession of two parcels of cannabis sativa in his vehicle on April 23, 2011.
 He pleaded not guilty.
In response to a question posed to him by accused person’s counsel, Kebba Sanyang if he found drugs with the accused, the witness said: “I did not find any drugs with accused but it was found in vehicle station at the entrance of the hotel,” he said.
He explained: “The accused is not the only user of the vehicle, the drivers do use it too, when they are given assignments but they are ‘clear’ according to my investigation.”
Jatta who led the investigation teams told the court that some of the drivers were granted bail at Bundung NDEA.
However, he could not remember how many drivers were arrested, their names and as well as the bond.
 “But none of the drivers have a connection to drugs,” he said, when counsel quizzed how come they are not charged and brought to court just like the accused since they are all users of the vehicle.
When asked why he concluded that those drivers are innocent even though they are all user of the vehicle, Jatta said: “I am the one who cleared them. The accused used the vehicle to peddle drugs.”
Barrister Kebba Sanyang however, put it to the witness that he cleared them because his mind has already focused on the accused to trouble him. But he denied

"Ex MP Owns the Drugs"

Ex-parliamentarian

Demba Baldeh, a former military officer is not
allowing to be left holding the bag as he took
turn to clear himself of allegations of drug
trafficking.
13 bundles of cannabis sativa were found in a
bag when police intercepted the vehicle of Dawda
Manneh, a former ruling party parliamentarian in
2009 in the rural Sololi village in CRR.
However, both the ex lawmaker and ex military
officer on board the vehicle have denied
ownership of the bag that contains the illicit
drugs.
Dawda Manneh had earlier said the illicit drugs
belongs to Demba Baldeh, who he gave a lift in
his car, but Demba on Wednesday countered the
accusation as he testified at Banjul
Magistrates’ Court.
“I was surprised when I learned that the bag
that was in the car boot was containing
cannabis,” the ex soldier has said.
Demba said, throughout their journey from Kombo
until their arrest at Sololi, Dawda Manneh was
exercising his parliamentary influence to avoid
search at various security checkpoints.
Even when the police intercepted them in Sololi,
he said the former lawmaker told the police that
they were embarrassing him as a parliamentarian,
but the police insisted that his vehicle must be
searched.
Among the belongings found in the car, Demba
said, he owns the bag of rice and a gallon of
cooking oil, which the ex lawmaker also claimed
as his. 
Meanwhile the lawyer Lamin Mboge has withdrawn
representation for Dawda Manneh for reasons
unexplained.
The trial will continue June 20. 2011.

NDEA Deputy Director Testifies in Karamo’s Drug Case

 



Current Deputy Director, NDEA



The Deputy Director General of National Drug Enforcement Agency (NDEA) on Monday testified against ex-deputy director of NDEA, Karamo Bojang accused of stealing illicit drugs.
Karamo Bojang is alleged to have stolen 67 pellets of cocaine recovered from the stomach of a dead Nigerian national, Samuel Okafor at a mortuary in Banjul in 2006 while claiming that the said drugs were destroyed in a destruction exercise.
He denied the allegations.
Kalilu Njie, who appeared as state witness no.2 said the pellets of cocaine were given to the accused who was the keeper of confiscated drugs.
“In 2010 Benedict Jammeh, Director General of NDEA ordered investigation into the case of Samuel Okafor,” he explained in court.
According to Njie, this investigation led to the current accusations leveled against former no.2 at anti narcotics agency, who is undergoing a separate trial at High Court.
“I read a portion where the accused said he saw some pellets of cocaine stained with blood before the destruction in 2006 and 2007,” Njie told the court.
According to him, he wrote a statement reacting to the accused person’s comments, because it was never shown to him.
He added that he joined the service in 1998 and have witnessed many exercise of destruction of drugs.
The witness further told the court that he did not know whether or not the former boss of NDEA, Ebrima Bun Sanneh and Ousman Sanneh, the then Director of Operation were present during the 2006 drug destruction.
“Is it normal for them to be absent,” Tambedou further asked and the witness agreed that it is very normal.
When Tambedou put it to the witness that Bun Sanneh and Ousman Sanneh were both present during the drug destruction exercise in 2006, the witness said it could be.
The witness denied picking up a cocaine during the destruction exercise.
Tambedou also put it to the witness that at one Alieu Jassey was the exhibits keeper of hard drugs.
“You said Mbaye handed the cocaine to the accused. Was it in your presence,” Tambedou asked.
 “No I wasn’t there” said the witness.
The witness also told the court that he did not know who controlled the keys of the save of hard drugs. 
At that juncture, the state announced the closure of its case.
Meanwhile, both parties are expected to file in their written addresses before the next adjournment date.
The case resumes Monday, 30 May 2011.