By Rohey Jadama
Barrister Hawa Sisay Sabally, the lead defence counsel in the trial of
14 UDP supporters yesterday 2nd November, 2016 cross-examined Alagie Touray a PIU officer before Justice O. Otaba of the Special Criminal Division of the Banjul High Court.
“It is your evidence that the accused persons were arrested at Iceman
junction. Do you still maintain that as your evidence?” enquired
Lawyer Sisay-Sabally. He answered, “Yes my lord.”
Madam Sabally added, “I’m putting it to you that is only the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 6th, 13th and
10th accused persons who were arrested at Iceman junction and not all the accused persons?” He answered, “I don’t know.”
Sabally noted, “The 9th and 11th accused persons were arrested at Cooperative junction not Iceman junction?” He answered, “I don’t know.”
Sabally said, “Is it correct that the 1st, 5th, 7th, 8th,12th, and 14th accused were
arrested at Kairaba Avenue at the gate of Mr. Ousainou Darboe’s
compound?” He answered, “I don’t know.”
Sabally asked,, “On the 9th May, 2016 the case of Ousainou Darboe and co was
proceeding at the high court?” He answered, “Yes”.
Sabally added” “Is it correct that most of the accused persons attended court on that day in Banjul?” He answered, “I don’t know.”
Sabally noted, “Were you part of the PIU security in Banjul that day?” He answered, “No”.
Sabally noted, “I’m putting it to you that the reason why you arrested these people is
because of their affiliation with the United Democratic Party, is that
not correct?” He answered, “I don’t know.”
Sabally asked, “When the PIU officers arrested them at the gate, they were severely beaten,
is that not correct?” He answered, “I don’t know.”
Sabally remarked, “Is it not correct that the PIU officers took the accused persons to Janjanbureh prisons where they were detained for several weeks?” He answered, “I don’t know.”
Sabally remarked, “Modou Sarr, the 1st accused was on board the vehicle, you arrested
him together with his driver and took him to the PIU office?” He answered, “I have
no idea.”
Sabally noted, “Kaddy Samateh the second accused was arrested on her way home because she attended court because her husband was being tried together with Ousainou Darboe, why was she arrested?”, He answered, “No idea”.
Sabally said, “She was taken to the PIU and her 1 month old baby was also taken to her for feeding and the baby was also detained?” He answered, “No idea.”
Sabally noted, “But you are aware that she was detained with her baby and while she was at the PIU office, the officers requested for diapers for the baby?” He answered, “No idea.” Sabally added, “Did you find out what crime the baby committed?” He answered, “No idea.”
At this juncture, the case was adjourned till 7 November, 2016 at 4pm for continuation of cross-examination.
