By Mafugi Ceesay
Lieutenant Abdoulie Jarju, the personal aide of former Chief of Defence Staff, Baboucar Jatta, has claimed that he was tortured by the officials of then NIA during the cause of obtaining his cautionary statement.
Testifying before the court martial yesterday presided over by the judge advocate, Justice Sainabou Wadda-Sise, Jarju explained that upon confirming to the Commanding Officer, Ensa Tamba that he was the one who uploaded the leaked pictures on Facebook, he apologised to Mr Tamba and was forgiven.
“The following morning Tamba called the entire Fajara Barracks and told them that it was me who uploaded the wood pictures on Facebook. The following morning I was paraded before a board of directors at the office of the second-in-command and asked me to explain how I sent the said pictures on Facebook,” he told the court martial.
Lieutenant Jarju claimed that he was arrested by Lieutenants Yusupha Jallow and Amie Bah on 7 July 2017 at his residence in Mile 7, Bakau and later detained at Fajara Barracks before he was later taken to the then NIA for interrogation.
He said at the then Agency’s headquarters, he was asked to give out his identity, address and as well gave account of how he leaked the said pictures but was asked to come back on 21 July 2017.
He told the crowded court that on his second visit to the NIA, he was alerted by Lieutenant Jallow who escorted him that the day could be different “as it is do or die” but did not understand the meaning of that. He said whiles at the conference hall, captain Alagie Camara brought him a document asking him to sign it but he refused. He narrated that it was then Captain Camara, Sulayman Jaye, and Abdoulie Sowe went into a room.
He said: “My face was covered, my hands were cuffed behind me and my trousers was lowered. I was asked to bow down there and beatings started from all areas of my body. My hands and testicles were electrocuted and I sustained some injuries.”
Jarjue added: “While beating was ongoing, I heard the cocking of a gun from someone who said ‘let’s finish or take him to sleep if he does not want to comply’. It was that moment I agreed to sign the said cautionary statement.”
