Eight (8) out of the ten (10) alleged coupists in custody in Gambia, Friday appeared in court, to face a three count treason charges preferred against them for allegedly attempting to overthrow the government of President Yahya Jammeh, a former military Lt. who himself came to power after overthrowing another democratically elected government in 1994.
The accused, who were officially charged on Thursday, appeared before Nigerian Justice Emmnanuel A. Amadi, at the High Court in Banjul. They arrived at the crowded court room with a heavily armed escort, and were immediately arraigned and the charge sheet read to them. They then pleaded not guilty.
According to report, procedural battle soon ensued in the court, engineered by the only two defense counsels available, Lawyer Hawa Ceesay-Sabally, representing Youssef Ezziden aka Rambo, a Lebanese businessman, and Lawyer Tambadou, representing Abdoulie Secka aka Lie Joof, also a businessman. These are two of three civilians accused of involvement in the alleged coup plot, and they are said to be the only ones among the accused with legal representations.
The brief court proceeding also saw the former head of the Gambia Armed Forces (GAF), who reportedly remained vocal throughout, protesting to the presiding judge against their complete denial of access to their families.
"Since November we cannot have access to our immediate families," online newspaper, Jollof News, quoted the Lt. General Tamba as telling the court.
In response, one of the defense lawyers, Lawyer Tambadou, urged the presiding judge to order prison authorities to respect the prisons regulations. But the Prison Officer Commanding Mile Two Central Prisons responded by telling the court that they were only working under instructions.
"This is above us. We are working under directives. You have to write to the prison boss," he stated, in an attempt to distance himself from the questionable treatment of prisoners.
But the former head of the Gambian army remained restless throughout, insisting that when the authorities wanted access to them there was no problem.
"When the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) wanted to see us there was no problem,’’ the former army chief said. And he added that when the DPP was informed about ‘‘our condition of detention, he did not do anything."
The case was later adjourned to Monday 22nd March, 2010 for continuation.
The scene went somber with family members of the accused crying out as their loved ones were whisked away to prisons.
Accused not happy with Media
Meanwhile, the former Gambian army Chief of Defense Staff went wild in court, accusing the Gambian media of ignoring their plight.
Lt. General Tamba who enjoyed extraordinary media attention as a celebrity military head made a desperate call on the presiding judge, Justice Emmanuel A. Amadi, not to allow access to the media to cover the hearing. He argued that the media refused to report their arrest from the beginning.
“When we were arrested they didn’t write anything about us. So, they should not be allowed to cover the proceedings,” said a frustrated and confused former army chief.
According to Jollof News, Tamba’s statement somehow sparked insulting remarks against journalists present in court, with family members of some of the accused calling media practitioners ‘traitors.’

Photo: Former Chief of Defense Staff Lt. General Lang Tombong Tamba