The defence in the trial of former soldier on Thursday began the cross-examination of army Sergeant Katamo Jatta, as he concluded his lengthy testimony in the trial of Gambian soldiers and a police officer alleged to have involved in a coup plot.
As the seventh prosecution witness, Karamo testified against Lance Corporal Sanna Fadera, Sergeant Gibril Darboe, Corporal Ebrima Sannoh, Corporal Omar Njie of the Gambian army and Sub-Inspector Fabakarry Jawara of the Gambia Police Force.
Following his reappearance at the High Court in Banjul yesterday, State Counsel A.M. Yusuf asked Mr Jatta whether he had anything to tell the court regarding the trial. In response, Mr Jatta told the court that he had recorded conversations between him and Sanna on his phone before he was visited by Sanna.
He added that it was the same phone he had left with the investigators that he saw on Tuesday before the court.
The witness then ended his testimony and faced Counsel L.S. Camara for cross-examination. Opening his cross examination, the defence lawyer borrowed exhibit P11 (purported operational plan) and court logs.
“How long have you been at the Gambia National Army,” he quizzed and the witness said 20 years and some months.
Moving further the witness also confirmed to the defence counsel that he was indeed well trained, familiar with military and that he was also a senior to the accused person Sanna Fadera.
Further quizzed on whether he is familiar with the military terms used and military formations in the army, the witness said he was not familiar with all.
Proceeding, he acknowledged knowing that Lance Corporal Sanna Fadera was a low ranker in the military, and not even an officer, and the maximum number of men he could move was six known as a Fire Team.
Counsel Camara asked whether a lance corporal had command responsibilities, and the witness said she or she does have command responsibilities as well as responsibility to control those under him.
“Sergeant Jatta, have a look at exhibit P11 (purported operational plan). Do you know what exhibit P11 is all about?” the trial counsel asked.
“This is a copy of the operational plan that Sana showed me in Farafenni, and the one I remember,” Jatta answered.
He agreed with the counsel that as a soldier with more than 20 plus years of experience, he had never seen an operational plan of this kind.
“Is it that operational plans are common in the military, and every soldier gets to see operational plans and movement of troops during and after training,” Counsel put it to the witness. Sergeant Jatta answered, saying operational plans were not prepared by the officers although it was always with them.
The defence counsel repeated his question, saying what the witness had said was not an answer to what he had asked.
The army sergeant, therefore, said: “I have never been shown an operational plan.”
“When you are about to stage military drills with life rounds, with sections, commands, are you not shown an operational plan?” Counsel Camara asked but the witness answered in the negative.
“Then why is an operational plan prepared by officers,” the counsel quizzed, and the witnessing answered: “Because they normally lead the men.”
Then, the counsel said: “Now look at exhibit P11. It seems exhibit P11 is a photocopy from somewhere.”
Mr Jatta acknowledged having taken a photo of the purported operational plan but said he did not know where that one before (exhibit P11) was obtained.
Questioned on whether there was a name, telephone number or signature on the document (exhibit P11), Mr Jatta answered in the negative.
The witness was asked to have a look at exhibit P11 once more, where it was written: format of operations and deployment of commanders. “It is correct that the first accused person is not in a position to deploy commanders.”
Counsel further asked: “Is the first accused person in a position to move a battalion?” The witness said the first accused could not under normal circumstances and could also not do so for a platoon under normal circumstances.
“Is it also correct that the first accused is an armory man,” Counsel Camara asked, but the witness said he did not know.
He acknowledged that he knew the first accused person was posted at the Gambia Navy.
“How long have you known the first accused?” the counsel asked.
Sergeant Jatta said he had known the accused persons since their recruitment, and also acknowledged even training with them.
Counsel asked: “And you saw him went through the ranks very slowly to lance corporal.”
“I do not know,” the witness told the court.
Further, the witness also acknowledged having heard a conversation with the accused person on 3 December 2022, adding that it was recorded in his phone. He said he could not remember, when the first call was made or what was said, but it was a normal conversation.
Moreover, Sergeant Jatta was also quizzed on how many conversations were recorded, and he said he could remember five.
Also, Counsel Camara asked, “In all those conversations, did Sana call you or did you call him?”
“Sometimes he would call me and sometimes I would call him,” the army sergeant answered.
At this point, the matter was adjourned till Tuesday for continuation of cross-examination.
