A former Military Police Sergeant, Modou Lamin Bah alias ‘ML Bah’ has said that he knows where the former President Yahya Jammeh’s personal bodyguard Almamo Manneh was assassinated and buried.
“I know where Almamo Manneh and Corporal Dumbuya were killed and buried, I am the only one who knew where they were buried,” former Sergeant ML Bah said.
He added: “I really want to help the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparation Commission with many evidences. Their bodies need to be exhume and investigations should be conducted before giving them proper muslim burial.”
Bah also spoke about the assassination of Deyda Hydara, a veteran journalist and co-founder of the Point Newspaper, saying he knows members of Jammeh’s hit squad assigned by the former president.
“I can be a very useful witness to this new administration,’’ he said.
The former Military Police Officer told the Fatu Network that he was part of the Special Force Commandos at State House in 2005. He allegedly refused to join the hit squad because he felt it was wrong professionally to assassinate innocent people. He was allegedly transferred to Yundum Barracks for refusing to join the hit squad.
‘‘I was transferred to Yundum Barracks, where I served as Station Officer at the Military Police until my fall-out with the regime,” he asserted.
ML Bah said he was wrongfully dismissed from the army, was arrested and detained at Yundum Barracks for 6 months without any trial in 2008. He alleged that the directive came from the high command. He complained about the unconstitutionality of his dismissal without a due process.
“I have a right to fair hearing but I was sent out just like that,” he asserted.
‘‘I’m not an ordinary soldier, I’m a non-commissioned officer so I cannot be dismissed like that. If you have to dismiss me there are procedures to follow,’’ he added.
Bah explained that he was taken to the Police headquarters in Banjul, where he spent 4 days before he was arraigned at a lower court and charged with conspiracy and robbery.
‘’The charges were a surprise to me. I was remanded in mile prison for 4 years 6 months. I was brought back to the court, where I was acquitted and discharged,’’ he explained.
After his acquittal, he added that he went to a legal counsel to write to the army for his reinstatement but he received a threatening letter to be rearrested and taken to military court martial. He fled into exile to Senegal, where he spent 3 years until after the change of government. He said he met President Barrow in Senegal after his swearing-in and he told them to come back and work for the country.
Meanwhile, after his return from exile most of his colleagues were reinstated except him. Whenever, he visited the headquarters they would tell him that they are not ready. He expressed his frustrations. He complained about his plight, family and school going children.
