By Adama Makasuba
The lead counsel at the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) has issued a final warning to Omar Cham against committing perjury – which is an offense under the law of the Gambia.
Omar Cham served the National Intelligence Agency as before he was discharged under medical condition after been machete by a cattle rustler which weakens him to continue serving the country’s intelligence.
He is among scores of people who have been adversely mentioned before the Commission to have committed human rights crimes like torture.
Testifying before the Commission, he said Mballow Kanteh, former Liberian rebel official, who was captured with other rebel colleagues after attacking the Farafeeni army barracks, that he was brought to the NIA and got tortured. He however denied participating in his torture. He added that he heard him screaming inside the investigation room.
“You know Mballow Kanteh was tortured?” Essa Faal questioned him. “As far as I heard screaming and I believe he was screaming because I didn’t see anyone else there except him. I didn’t tell you I was present – maybe you don’t hear what I said,” Omar Cham replied counsel Faal.
“My friend you told me in plain Wollof that ‘I saw them’ Now you want to change the story completely,” Faal replied.
Mr Cham said: “counsel I cannot remember saying that but I know Mballow Kanteh was brought in.”
“Mr Witness I have to, now, give you the warning again and I am serious about it. Lying before the commission is an offence and lying under oath is an offence. Don’t allow yourself to be the first to be used as an example. Speak the truth,” lead counsel Essa Faal warned the witness