By Bruce Asemota
Sheikh Omar Jeng, former operations director at the National Intelligence Agency, was yesterday cross-examined by the prosecution led by lawyer Antouman A. B Gaye in connection with the role he played in the 14th April, 2016 arrest and detention of the UDP protesters.
Jeng was shown a document purported to be a site plan of the NIA in Banjul and was asked to tell the court where the agency clinic was situated in the plan.
Jeng pointed at the building which he said is still in existence but the clinic was no longer housed in there.
He said at the time the court visited the Agency, the clinic was no longer there.
He told the court that he doesn’t know whether the 9th accused, Lamin Lang Sanyang is a doctor but found him practicing as a medical practitioner, thus refers to him as a medical officer.
Jeng revealed that he didn’t bother to find out whether Lamin was medically qualified because it was not within his purview to do so.
He further revealed that he suggested to his superiors that Nogoi Njie, Fatou Camara and Fatoumata Jawara be given medical attention but his superiors said that Lamin should be called.
He said he did what was within his level and didn’t know the extent of their injuries and could not recommend that they be taken to Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital.
Jeng informed the court that he disagreed with the prosecution that he did not take the injured ladies to EFSTH because he didn’t want the public to see the level of their injuries.
He told the court that he cannot recall the exact duration the ladies were detained at the NIA.
Jeng disclosed that he knew they were detained for more than 72 hours but he wasn’t responsible for their detention and didn’t know why they were not released.
He further disclosed that on the 14th April, 2016, he went to the PIU headquarters in Kanifing and arranged for the Pick-up to take the protesters to the NIA on the instruction of the then Inspector General of Police, Yankuba Sonko.
He said on the 14th April, 2016, his boss, Yankuba Badjie, 1st accused, Yankuba Sonko, then IGP, General Saul Badjie and one Baba Danso one of the prosecution witness were present but noted that he didn’t know whether one Abdoulie Sanneh, a police officer from Serekunda Police Station was at the PIU Headquarters.
Jeng told the court that he saw the PIU officers escorting the protesters to the NIA in Banjul.
Cross examination of Omar Jeng continues today.
