Former soldier Alagie Kanyi Thursday testified in the trial of Yankuba Touray who has been charged with conspiracy to commit felony contrary to section 368 of the Criminal Code and interference with potential TRRC witness or informant contrary to section 36 (a) of TRRC Act.
Touray is a former military junta member and minister under President Yahya Jammeh. He was arrested in March after Kanyi gave testimony at the TRRC that he (Touray) spoke to him on the phone and told him that he should not mind the commission. Kanyi was a potential TRRC witness at the time.
The particulars of the offence states that ‘the accused person on or about 5th January, 2019 in Kanifing and diverse places within the jurisdiction of the Court, with intent to obstruct or interfere with the work of the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC), called Alagie Kanyi, a potential witness of TRRC through his Africell number, and told him that he should not mind the Commission, because they cannot do anything.’ Touray pleaded not guilty.
Testifying as the first prosecution witness, Kanyi told the High Court in Banjul that his communications with Touray were all made before his statements were taken by the TRRC investigators ahead of his appearance at the commission.
Under cross-examination, he said he could not remember being asked by TRRC about his conversation with Touray during the time investigators were taking his statement.
“I was not asked by TRRC how many times I called Yankuba or how many times Yankuba called me. I cannot also remember telling the commission that I slammed the phone over Yankuba’s ears and I remember calling him only two times,” Kanyi testified.
When put to him by defense lawyer Abdoulie Sissoho that he called Touray at least three or four times, Kanyi disagreed. He also denied thanking Touray for advising him not to cooperate with the TRRC and to be truthful in his testimony so as to keep his integrity intact.
“When I spoke with Yankuba he told me that he is our commander and I should not worry about the commission. I replied that hence he is the commander he should be the first person to appear so that we can learn from what you have to tell them,” Kanyi said.
He also told the court that the reason he called Touray was to inform him that since their last conversation he has not been called by the commission.
The case was adjourned by Justice Aminata Saho Ceesay to Monday 29th May.
Kanyi on February 28 testified at the TRRC that he took part in the killings of Sergeants Fafa Nyang and Basiru Camara in the aftermath of the 11th November 1994 alleged failed coup.
Before his appearance, Kanyi, a native of Jarra in the Lower River Region, was accused by multiple TRRC witnesses of taking part in the extrajudicial killings of soldiers perceived to have taken part in the alleged coup plot.
Kanyi confessed that he was instructed by the Lt. Edward Singhatey, a member of the then ruling Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council to open fire at Sergeants Nyang and Camara.
