WhatsApp case continues in Gambia

R. v. Blackadder

The WhatsApp treason court-martial has resumed in Gambia. Here is an example of the examination of witnesses, thanks to Forayaa's continuing detailed coverage by Yankuba Jallow and Kebba Secka:

Corporal Jino Sanneh, the fifth prosecution witness in the ongoing criminal trial involving 12 soldiers facing treasonable charges, said he was not the administrator of a ‘Whatsapp’ group allegedly created by some soldiers.

He made the assertion whilst under cross-examination by defence lawyer Sheriff Kumba Jobe, on Friday the 26th January 2018, before the panellist of the general Court-Martial.

Sanneh testified that he removed himself from the group chat called “True Friends” when the group was discovered by the authorities, before his arrest.

‘‘How can you remove yourself from the group when you are not an administrator?’’ asked Lawyer Jobe.

‘‘I don’t know,’’ answered the witness.

“Why did you remove yourself from the group chat and delete the messages therein?” asked Lawyer Jobe.

“I don’t know,” answered the witness.

“You deleted them in an effort to cover up yourself,” said Lawyer Jobe.

The witness responded in the negative.

“Can you remember who created the ‘Whatsapp’ group?” asked Lawyer Jobe.

“Actually, I don’t know who created the group but I was added by Sergeant Yusupha Jatta,” responded Corporal Sanneh; that he was added in the Month of July, 2017.

“Was there any force or duress used against you to join the group or you came voluntarily?” asked Lawyer Jobe.

“I was invited,” the witness responded.

“You accepted the invitation without duress, force or threats?” asked Lawyer Jobe.

“Yes sir,” responded the witness.

“As you joined the group, do you know the responsibility and the accountability of the group members?” Lawyer Jobe asked.

“I don’t know,” said the witness.

“How many members were in the group?” asked Lawyer Jobe.

“I know only one member,” the witness said.

“Do you know 7114956?” asked Lawyer Jobe.

“I can’t remember,” he said.

Not to make light of a serious matter, but the colloquy is reminiscent of the examination of Private S. Baldrick in the court-martial episode of "Blackadder Goes Forth."