Gambia: Ex Police Chief denies being ‘a robber in police uniform’

By Gambian Correspondent – Ex police chief Ensa Badjie yesterday continued his testimony under cross-examination in the robbery trial involving him and Chief Superintendent of Prison Ali Ceesay at the Special Criminal Court in Banjul.

Ensa Badjie told the court he could not remember all the evidence adduced in court against him by the first prosecution witness (PW1), Soriba Kandeh.

However, PW1 was never under his command, but under the command of Landing Bojang of the police taskforce unit.

He also said the ninth prosecution witness, Dodou Boy Janneh, was his junior in the service.

He said the taskforce was in place even before the alleged robbery took place, denying that he ever said Janneh was part of the taskforce committee.

Badjie further told the court that he never saw PW9 being arrested, adding that all what he knew about PW9 was that he had murdered one Sheriff Minteh, and that he (Badjie) was the one who personally effected arrest on Janneh.

He also stated that Landing Bojang gave evidence against him, because Bojang had a deep grudge against him, and he instigated others to do so.

According to Badjie, his problems with Landing Bojang started after he (Badjie) was elevated over Bojang.

Badjie said that some of the witnesses had testified against him, because he investigated their cases until they were prosecuted and convicted.

He denied that he had a problem with Landing Bojang because he (Badjie) was “a robber in a police uniform”.

At that juncture the case was adjourned till 18 May 2011.