Yahya Jarjusey, chief of Jarra West, has finally sought regret to his victims as he concluded his testimony before the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission.
Mr Jarjusey, who was adversely mentioned by witnesses for alleged rights violations, however denied all allegations.
“What I would tell them is that, because if you acted contrary to the law, you are wrong. Therefore, I would apologise to them [People Jarra Sey Kunda] that what I did to them was not right,” he submitted.
The Chief agreed he tried at the District Tribunal presided over by himself, the people of Sey Kunda who contested his appointment of another alkolo for the village.
However, Chief Jarju Sey alleged that it was Lamin Darboe the Governor at the time, who told him that as per the 1997 Constitution, Kemeseng Jammeh, the Alkalo at the time cannot serve as an Alkalo because he was a member of the National Assembly.
Faal put to the witness that Mr. Jammeh as a parliamentarian knew the law and asked him whether he wanted the Commission to believe that Jammeh wanted to violate the Constitution, and the witness responded in the affirmative.
Then, Faal read a letter made by Kemeseng in which he said that his brother passed away and was supposed to replace his late brother being next in line as the successor. In the said letter, Jammeh stated that he cannot serve as Alkalo as per Section 59 of the 1997 Constitution.
After Kemeseng declined to succeed his late brother as Alkalo, the people of Sey Kunda unanimously selected one Alagie Saro to serve as their Alkalo.
Meanwhile, when asked lead counsel Essa Faal, that his appointment by former Yahya Jammeh as acting Chief of Jarra West was illegal.
He replied in denial saying that the course of my appointment I was not aware of it but there were consultations regarding his appointment and this was during the time of Tamsir Demba, former Cabinet Secretary.”
“Mr. Demba informed me that the president wanted to make him a chief and he responded to him that if he appoints him, he will accept,” he continued.