In Ex IGP Robbery Trial Ex-Prison Chief Superintendent Continues Defence

The Daily Observer (Banjul)

Sidiq Asemota

17 June 2011

Ali Ceesay, an ex-chief superintendent of Prisons, the 2nd accused person in the ongoing robbery trial involving the state against the former IGP, Ensa Badjie, yesterday continued evidence in chief in his defence before the Special Criminal Court in Banjul, presided over by Justice Joseph Enwa Ikpala.

The 2nd accused told the court that he did not influence Soriba Condeh alias Ramsis (pw1) with a towel. The accused person adduced that he as a senior officer would have charged PW1 rather than threatening him when he (PW1) commits an offence. Responding to questions posed to him by the DPP, Mikailu Abdullahi, the 2nd accused told the court that the prison is meant for rehabilitation or reforming people as a result when both PW1 and the 1st accused, Ensa Badjie had problems inside the prison, he admonished them.

The 2nd accused admitted that exhibit D was his statement, adding that when PW1 and the 1st accused, Ensa Badjie had their altercation, he admonished them that if they continue provoking each other, he will charge them and seal them.

The 2nd accused pointed out that according to the prison Act, seal is a punishment. Ex-CSP Ali Ceesay told the court that on the 11th of April 2007, he was at the security wing, but was transferred to the Kitchen in August 2007 and had nothing to do with visits and confinements. The 2nd accused however disclosed that he knew when PW1, Soriba Condeh obtained his visit pass. The 2nd accused said PW1 was detained at the security wing as at the 11th of April 2007, adding that PW1 was under his care. The 2nd accused told the court that when Ensa Badjie was the IGP, he was a chief superintendent adding that when the 1st accused, Ensa Badjie was detained; he treated him as an ordinary detainee.

Meanwhile, after the 2nd accused concluded his testimony, one SP Ebrima Tijana gave evidence as the third defence witness in the ongoing trial. In his evidence, SP Tijana told the court that he knows the 2nd accused, Ali Ceesay, adding that he once worked with him at the security wing at the Mile Two Prisons. The prison officer who said he now works at the Jeshwang Prison told the Special Criminal Court that he knew something transpired between Soriba Condeh alias Ramsis (PW1) and the ex IGP, Ensa Badjie (the 1st accused).

The witness disclosed that one day when he reported for work on morning shift, the 1st accused, Ensa Badjie lodged a complaint that Soriba Condeh, PW1 was always abusing his mother. The witness said he called the two and tried to strike a compromise between them in the presence of the 2nd accused, but to no avail, adding that each time he called them, PW1, Soriba Condeh would promise him he would never provoke the 1st accused, Ensa Badjie again. The witness explained that they warned the 1st accused, Ensa Badjie that if he provokes PW1 Soriba Condeh or any other person, he will be sealed.

The witness revealed that in one of their meeting as they were addressing Soriba Condeh (PW1), he (PW1) jumped up and shouted at the 2nd accused person who was the operation officer at the time to go out of the meeting so that he (SP Tijana) can address the matter. Responding to questions posed to him by the DPP, Mikailu Abdulahi, the witness, SP Ebrima Tijana told the court that PW1 was convicted of robbery and he was kept at the security wing in Mile Two Prisons. The witness said he was not aware of what Soriba Condeh (PW1) and Ensa Badjie did in the free world before they found themselves in the prison.

The witness reiterated the 2nd accused evidence that a first offender of the prison offence is usually warned, but subsequent offences would result to punishment for offenders. The witness told the court that he knows that the 1st accused is facing multiple charges before the court, but cannot recapitulate the number of charges leveled against him. The witness disclosed that he never knew why PW1, Soriba Condeh was hostile to the 2nd accused, Ali Ceesay who was his superior officer. The witness dismissed prosecution claim that the 2nd accused refused to charge PW1 Soriba Condeh after he provoked the former police boss, Ensa Badjie, because the 2nd accused never wanted PW1 to give evidence against the ex-IGP, Ensa Badjie in court.

The witness however revealed that the inability of the 2nd accuse person to settle the dispute between PW1 and the 1st accused and his (SP Ebrima Tijana) intervention in the matter as a junior officer to the 2nd accused was not a failure on the part of the 2nd accused person in discharging his duty.

Hearing continues on the 29th of June, 2011.

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