Captain Bunja Darboe Speaks Again
Thursday 4th December 2006

By Modou Sanyang & Sarata J. Dibba

Captain Bunja Darboe, the 1st accused in the alleged March 21 coup plot, yesterday testified before the general court martial sitting at Yundum military barracks on a trial within a trial of his undated cautionary statement.

In his testimony, Captain Darboe told the court martial that he was arrested on the night of 21st March 2006 while he was having dinner with his wife at Lamin village. He added that he was taken to the state’s central prison, Mile 2, accused of involvement in the 21st March abortive coup.

He said he was later collected from Mile 2 and taken to the NIA Headquarters in Banjul, adding that at the NIA a soldier in combat boots kicked him and, as he bent over from the pain, another butted him from behind. He said he was later taken to the panel hall where the current Chief of Defence Staff, Col. Lang Tombong Tamba, informed him that Col. Ndure Cham had been arrested and that he had already informed them that he (Captain Bunja Darboe) was part of the foiled coup, urging him to accept involvement.

He said he however denied all the statements of Col. Lang Tombong Tamba, adding that he was also asked by Hydara to name those others who visited Col. Ndure Cham’s office and also the officers he Bunja Darboe contacted on behalf of Col. Ndure Cham. He said as he gave the names, Col. Lang Tombong Tamba ordered their arrest. He said he was forced to make the statement from that he was part of the coup plot.

Captain Bunja Darboe further adduced that on 25th March 2006 he was removed from his cell at the Mile 2 Prison at 1500 hours and taken to the NIA by officers in black uniform. He said he was handcuffed and beaten inside the prison camp while other inmates looked on. He said the prison officers asked them to stop the beating and take him out of the prison camp if they wanted to kill him.

He added that at the NIA while going up the stairs he was pushed from behind and he fell down, whereupon the officer started kicking him until he entered a room. He said they kicked him off his legs again so that he fell on his left hand, which got fractured. He said he was taken to the RVTH for medical treatment and was treated accordingly. He said he was issued with brace guard in order to prevent the bones from moving.

He said on the 6th April, 2006, he was again taken to the NIA Headquarters together with Capt. Yahya Darboe, at about midnight, by black-uniformed men. He said at the NIA he was taken to the back of the building to an open place where he was made to kneel down and carry a filled plastic bag over his head.

He said he recognized Sgt. Colley, Corporal Njie, WO2 Tamba, Lt Martin and Lt Jammeh.

He said when they put the plastic bag over his head, they held it until he could not breathe, making him to balance the bag on his fingers. He added that at length they brought another plastic bag.

Capt. Darboe further testified that Lt. Musa Jammeh enquired from him where the support for the coup plot came from and he replied that he did not know. He said he was further asked by Lt Musa Jammeh which country was supporting the coup and he again replied that he did not know. He said that at that point he was beaten with a stick, causing him to break down in a cry of pain. He said at a point he was lying down as they beat him repeatedly. He said Lt. Jammeh later asked them to stop the beating.

He said when he was questioned again he was too weak to even respond, adding that Lt. Jammeh gave orders that if he failed to talk they should take him out and ‘finish’ him.

He said he was then dragged to a corner where he was asked to kneel down to say his last prayers. He said he could not talk and they started beating him again, stopping later only to ask him to amend his statement to be in line with what Capt. Seckan and Capt. Dem said.

He said Capt. Dem was alleged to have told the panel that he (Capt. Bunja Darboe) told him that the Senegalese have deployed military troops along the boarder as part of the coup.

He said he was told to make his statement or otherwise he would face death.

Source:The Point Newspaper Banjul.