By Mama A. Touray
Lawyer Segga Gaye on Wednesday finished cross-examination of Commissioner Olimatou Jammeh in the ongoing diplomatic passport scandal case involving two civil servants.
Commissioner Jammeh is the boss at the diplomatic passport unit of the Gambia Immigration Department. Mansa Sumareh, a former chief driver at the State House is standing trial with Ebrima J. Sanneh, a former protocol officer at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on charges of conspiracy and forgery.
Commissioner Jammeh, the 5th prosecution witness in her evidence in-chief said the letter of approval that accompanied the application of Bakary K. Suso was not accompanied with stamps from the Office of the President and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Commissioner Jammeh admitted that she never contacted the Office of the President to confirm the authenticity of the stamp and signature on the letter of approval in the application of Mr Suso for diplomatic passport. She also admitted that she did not get in touch with the Foreign Affairs regarding their stamp on the letter of approval that accompanied the application for Mr Suso.
She said she knew Saikou Sanneh and Ousman Touray from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She admitted that Sanneh and Touray came to her office to see her about the issue,
“They came in respect of what you told the 2nd accused person,” Lawyer Gaye enquired.
“That is correct,” she answered.
Previously she admitted before the court that it was the duty of Ebrima J. Sanneh as protocol officer to escort applicants of diplomatic passports to her office adding Sanneh has been bringing several applications which according to her is in line with Sanneh’s duty.
Commissioner Jammeh said Ebrima J. Sanneh’s name came in the diplomatic passport record book more than 21 times.
“You will agree with me that the 2nd accused person is a regular visitor at your office,” Gaye questioned.
“Yes,” she said.
“You will agree with me that those visits were in accordance with his duties,” Gaye inquired.
“I agree,” she responded.
“You will agree with me that those visits were to escort applicants of diplomatic passports and to collect passports,” Gaye questioned.
“Yes,” she replied.
The witness admitted that she has never called Ndey Awa Cham whose name was on the approval letter instead she called one Salimatou Touray who gave her opinion that she does not recognize the signature on the approval letter.
“You did not speak to Ndey Awa Cham throughout this process,” the lawyer said.
“I did not speak to Ndey Awa Cham,” she said.
“You will agree with me that the conclusion reached by Salimatou Touray from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was her mere opinion –nothing more,” the Lawyer said.
“Yes, that is her opinion,” she said.
The case was adjourned to the 15th June 2021 for another witness to appear.
