It was Dr. Malick Njie’s turn to testify at the TRRC, where he gave evidence on a wide range of issues; from his arrest and detention, knowledge on HIV AIDS, to Jammeh's Alternative Treatment Programme.
Born in Banjul on 29 September 1958, currently residing in Cape Point, Bakau, Dr Njie studied Medicine at the University of Nigeria in1977 and graduated in 1984 before proceeding to University of Lagos Teaching Hospital while he was enrolled in the Gambia Armed Forces. He later went to England Royal Academy to attend an officer training programme, obtained Diploma in Tropical Medicine and Medical Training for the Army. As Captain in the Army he worked on general medicine.
The witness said he was arrested and detained for 18 months at Mile 2 with almost all the other senior officers of the Army and Gendarmerie, and that he was psychologically tortured.
He said at some point all Junta members except Yahya Jammeh went into Mile 2 and gave them merciless beating. “They told us that they were going to execute Mamat Cham, RSM Jeng and Chogan and what I would call a mob execution took place”.
On whether he was allowed to have access to a lawyer, he responded in the negative, noting that he was taken to Fajara Barracks on 3 occasions on the pretext that he was being taken for court martial. He said he and one Abou Jeng of the Gambia Armed Forces were pardoned by then Chairman Jammeh.
While being driven home by Babucarr Jatta, former CDS, the witness said Jatta revealed so many things to him including the recruitment of mates into the NIA and that he, Dr Njie would be monitored. Luckily for him, he pointed out, he was served with a letter from the PMO that he was redeployed to Royal Victoria Hospital, where he rose through the ranks up to level of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) till 2007.
He said Yahya Jammeh visited the Hospital in 2006 November but he wasn't around then, but that the second time Jammeh visited he, Jammeh, said he had a son admitted at the Accident and Emergency Ward, and told him (Njie) for the first time, that he could cure HIV/AIDS and would want to do it at the RVH. “I told him that I don't believe him and that as President, he should focus on governance and leave that to us. He said I was brainwashed by the white people and insisted. I told him that I would rather be fired than have him do it because the Act had clearly stated who is qualified to practice medicine”.
He said Jammeh told him that he got his mandate from God. And later Jammeh called a press conference and that after the press conference, Jammeh told him that he was going home and that he would want him to see him off. Upon arrival at State House, Yahya Jammeh gave me a lot of money. Dr. Njie testified that it was difficult for him because he served both at the hospital and the Treatment Programme.
The witness confirmed that on the 7th day of the treatment he tested the patients and they were all HIV positive. “However, Jammeh reassured the patients that he had better medicines and would sort them out”. He confirmed that prior to his discussions with Yahya Jammeh, he knew that Jammeh did not know the sciences that surround the disease. That it is therefore correct to say that he misled the nation and her people and the world at large.
The Dr also confirmed that Jammeh gave him money number of times and he took them, as well as vehicles.
However, he could not remember how much was given to him by Jammeh but claimed that some of the monies given to him were handed over to the hospital; a proof of that according to him, was that his accountant was found with lot of money after being audited.
By Awa DK Conteh