“My Client Was Shocked, Beaten On His Testicles” Lawyer Tambadou Alleges DLEAG Officers Tortured His Client

By Landing Ceesay 

Sheriff M. Tambadou, the lawyer representing Paulo Djabi and two other defendants in a drug-related case, has accused officers from the Drug Law Enforcement Agency (DLEAG) at the Kairaba Police Station of physically abusing one of his clients, Mamadu Neto Djabi.

The accused individuals—Paulo Djabi (1st accused), Nadine Ismael De Gouveia Pereira (2nd accused), and Mamadu Neto Djabi (3rd accused)—are facing 20 counts of drug-related offenses and money laundering.

The Prosecution presented Lamin Y.A. Sanneh, an officer with the Drug Law Enforcement Agency of The Gambia (DLEAG), as the First Prosecution Witness (PW1).

Following the completion of his testimony, Counsel Tambadou began cross-examining Mr. Sanneh regarding the circumstances of his client’s arrest.

During the previous hearing, Mr. Sanneh disclosed that a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) was formed between July and August 2023 to investigate the alleged crimes involving the accused individuals.

Mr. Sanneh further revealed that the investigation team, comprising around 20 members, included representatives from DLEAG, the Gambia Police Force, the Gambia National Army, the State Intelligence Services (SIS), and the Immigration Department.

In relation to his clients’ arrest and detention, Counsel Tambadou accused the DLEAG officers stationed at the Kairaba Police Station of torturing one of his clients.

“The 3rd accused person (Mamadu Neto Djabi) was arrested on the 28th of August 2023, could you tell the court why his voluntary and cautionary statements were recorded on the 9th of September 2023?” Counsel Tambadou asked. 

“I could not remember the date his cautionary and voluntary statements were recorded,” Mr. Sanneh told the court. 

“Why was the 3rd accused (Mamadu Neto Djabi) beaten?” Counsel Tambadou asked. 

“I could not remember any time when the 3rd accused (Mamadu Neto Djabi) was beaten,” Mr. Sanneh responded. 

“I am putting it to you that the 3rd accused person (Mamadu Neto Djabi) was put in handcuffs and beaten at the Kairaba Police Station,” Counsel Tambadou told the witness. 

“My lord, I am not aware of any beatings on the 3rd accused person (Mamadu Neto Djabi,” the witness told the court. 

The witness further told the court that since he was not aware that Mamadu Neto Djabi was beaten at the Kairaba Police Station, he could deny it.

“I am putting it to you that the 3rd accused person (Mamadu Neto Djabi) had his pants removed and beaten on his testicles,” Counsel Tambadou told the witness. 

“My lord, I am not aware of any beating on the 3rd accused person,” Mr. Sanneh denied. 

“I am putting it to you that the DLEAG Officers conducted an electrical shock on the testicles of the 3rd accused person (Mamadu Neto Djabi) 

“My lord this is not up to my knowledge,” Mr. Sanneh told the court. 

Regarding the arrest of Paulo Djabi and Nadine Pereira, the witness informed the court that the two were apprehended at Envy Nightclub in Fajara.

When questioned about whether the arrest occurred inside or outside the club, the DLEAG officer stated that he was not present at the time of the arrest and, therefore, could not confirm the location.

“I am putting it to you that the 1st and 2nd accused persons were arrested near the residence of the Vice President on their way home,” Counsel Tambadou told the witness. 

“My lord, I was not at the point of their arrest,” the witness told the court. 

The witness further testified in court that he could not recall the number of officers involved in arresting Paulo Djabi and Nadine Pereira.

“If I tell you that they were arrested by more than 20 Officers, can you deny that?” Counsel Tambadou asked. 

“Since I was not at the point of their arrest, yes I can deny it,” Mr. Sanneh told the court. 

Mr Sanneh told the court that he did not know how many vehicles carried the Men of the Joint Investigation Team to effect an arrest on Paulo Djabi and Nadine Pereira. 

“You are a member of the Joint Investigation Team, so what do you know about this case?” Counsel Tambadou asked. 

“That Paulo Djabi is arrested, with some prohibited drugs, strings and needles and also in the house at Fajara Waterfront where Paulo Djabi and Nadine Pereira, live some monies were recovered, vehicles and motorcycles were also seized,” the witness told the court. 

Mr. Sanneh testified that during their visit to the residence of the third accused, Mamadu Neto Djabi, they recovered drugs from the house, although none were found on him.

He also informed the court that no drugs were discovered with Nadine Pereira, the second accused.

When questioned about Paulo Djabi, the witness stated that no drugs were found on him.

Mr. Sanneh further clarified that the drugs recovered from both Paulo Djabi and Mamadu Neto Djabi were identified as NDMA and amphetamine.

“Do you know the weight of the NDMA” Counsel Tambadou asked. 

“My lord, I could not remember even though it was weighed,” the witness testified. 

Mr Sanneh told the court that they could not weigh amphetamine because it was liquid. 

“Mr. Sanneh, how much quantity of NDMA is illegal in the Gambia?” Counsel Tambadou asked. 

“I could not remember, the witness told the court. 

“Do you agree with me that the amount of drug you claimed to have found on the 1st and 2nd accused persons (Paulo Djabi and Nadine Pereira) are the subject in this case?” Counsel Tambadou asked. 

“Yes, my lord, the witness responded. 

“The men who went to arrest the 1st and 2nd accused persons (Paulo Djabi and Nadine Pereira) went with guns, batons, shields, etc,” Counsel Tambadou told the witness. 

“No, my lord,” Mr. Sanneh responded. 

“I am putting it to you that more than 20 Officers went to arrest the 1st and 2nd accused persons with guns,” Counsel Tambadou told the witness. 

Despite telling the court that he was not present at the time of the arrest, Mr Sanneh insisted that the men who arrested Paulo Djabi and Nadine Pereira did not go with guns. 

“I am putting it to you that more than 20 officers went to arrest the 1st and 2nd accused persons with guns,” Counsel Tambadou said. 

However, Mr Sanneh maintained his stance that the men who arrested Paulo Djabi and Nadine Pereira did not go with guns and batons. 

Mr. Sanneh said this is because they were arrested by the Joint Investigation Team, and they were not issued with any gun or batons. 

“I am putting it to you that officers who went to arrest the 1st and 2nd accused persons threatened to shoot either of them if they move,” Counsel Tambadou told the witness. 

“I was not at the point of their arrest,” the witness responded. 

Counsel Tambadou told the witness that at the point of arrest of Paulo Djabi and Nadine Pereira, an officer said to their hearing in English that “if they move, shoot to kill.”

The witness told the court that he would not know about that since he was not present.

 

When asked whether Paulo Djabi and Nadine Pereira were arrested with a gun or guns, Mr. Sanneh responded negatively and told the court that they were not arrested with guns. 

“Why was the 2nd accused person put in handcuffs at the point of arrest?” Counsel Tambadou asked. 

“I would not know as I was not at the point of arrest,” Mr. Sanneh testified. 

“Is it normal to put or handcuff the arrestee?” Counsel Tambadou asked. 

“It depends on the safety of the suspects and the officers on the ground,” Mr. Sanneh responded. 

“How do you know the accused persons were not carrying guns?” Counsel Tambadou asked. 

“When they were arrested, they were brought to the DLEAG office with no guns, which means they were not arrested with weapons,” the witness told the court. 

The case was then adjourned to the 2nd of December 2024 for continuation.