Modou Ngum narrates ordeal of 2016 peaceful protest

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By Team Outpost


Modou Ngum, one of the victims of April 14th peaceful protest has today told the Federal Criminal Court in Switzerland about the circumstances of the protest that led to the death of Solo Sandeng. 


He said the protest was organised by the inter-party committee of political parties, but none of them participated during the protest. 


Ngum told the court that they converged at Bambo and march towards Serrekunda to Westfield demanding electoral reforms. Upon arrival at Westfield they were forcefully dispersed by the PIU.


He told the court that while at the PIU, they were asked to sit on the floor and hands tight at their back. He said Ousman Sonko, and the former NIA Director were all present there. 

He said it was himself (Modou Ngum) Solo Sandeng, Ebrima Jabang, Nogoi Njie, Kafu Bayo Fatoumatta Jawara and Fatou Camara at the NIA. 


Ngum said the Interior Minister and his team including Yankuba Sonko instructed the police to take them to the NIA office in Banjul. 


Ngum said both the Interior Minister and the former NIA Director said “they should be given a VIP treatment at the  NIA premises.


At the NIA he said a statement was given to Solo Sandeng to a sign, which he refused. His hands was then broken. He was told that, if he refused to sign the statement then he will be a “food for the vultures”. 


Ngum narrated that him and all others were forced to sign the statement. 


“I was told that I will be castigated, and later Solo was called in and then i heard Solo yelling that he should be undress. I also heard one Tamba Masireh saying give him a VIP treatment,” he told the court.


Ngum said he was called out undress and Tamba Masireh pulled his private part and later electricuted by his tortures. 


According to him, Ngum said he was knocked on his left eye and they said to him that “this is what we did Omar Jallow (OJ).


“I was reminded that Imam Baba Leigh was brought here and buried up to his chest,” Modou Ngum said. 


He said Solo Sandeng was killed in a cold blood by the Junglers early Friday morning. “He Solo Sandeng was subjected to harsh treatment that he could not survive,” he said.


Asked to described the political climate under Jammeh, Ngum said “Jammeh was one of the worst dictators ever”. 


He said Jammeh tried to silence the media by killing journalists or forcing them to flee.


Ngum mentioned Ebrima Janko Ceesay who was tortured whilst covering the protest. He said: “Ebrima was covering the peaceful demonstration from Bambo to Westfield. And when we were arrested he was arrested along and taken to the PIU. 


In 2006, he was told we arrested your father Madi Ceesay and tortured him, and you will also be subjected to the same torture. He was hit with a hammer and could not sustain the pain and he died in the process,” he concluded.

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