Former Junta member, Yankuba Touray, cited his constitutional immunity as the reason why he refused to testify before the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC).

Mr Touray was due to testify before the TRRC on Wednesday morning but walked out before the proceedings started.

It caused pandemonium which lasted for over an hour as the TRRC commissioners tried to reason with him.

Mr Touray agreed briefly to comply with the TRRC but refused to take the customary oath by witnesses before the TRRC proceedings begin. He said has ‘Constitutional immunity’ and declined to take the oath.

The Commission however gave him a second chance to appear and testify which he agreed to.

Despite taking oath and commencing his testimony, Touray refused to further proceed saying “I do not recognize the legitimacy of this Commission when I have Constitutional immunity.”

He added: ” I am not going further you may also use your legal tools and then we all proceed and see, I am not speaking.”

During this exchange, Yankuba Touray was repeatedly warned and cautioned by the lead counsel Essa Mbye Faal that ” I will not enter into legal debate with you as to whether immunity applies…I would remind you that it is an offence under the laws of the Commission–TRRC Act failing to answer questions of the Commission.”

But Mr Touray replied ” I am not going to testify regarding that…I invoke my Constitutional immunity.”

The session was abandoned as Yankuba Touray refused to comply with the demands of the Lead Counsel, Essa Faal.

Mr Touray is likely to be arrested for refusing to comply with the TRRC which is an offence under the TRRC Act.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba