Thursday, June 30, 2011

APRC’s Banjul Central Lawmaker in Legal Tussle

Hon. Saine

The ruling APRC party National Assembly member for Banjul Central is facing a civil suit for allegedly refusing a complete payment of a vehicle he purchased from one Mr Williamson Davis, the plaintiff.
The plaintiff is claiming the sum of D40, 000 being the balance money due on the sale of a Toyota vehicle to Hon. Abdoulie Saine, who denied the claim.
Mr Mam Sait Ceesay, a media consultant who instituted the legal action on behalf of the plaintiff on Monday told the magistrate’s court in Banjul that he knows everything that transpired between Hon. Saine and Mr. Davis regarding the saga.
 And he narrated: “In 2008, Mr. Davis offered to sell his car to Hon Saine because he needed money to be able to return abroad.
According to Mr Ceesay, the legislator accepted Mr. Davis’ offer, but only paid D20, 000.00 and refused to pay the rest of the agreed amount.

Lawyer Mboge: My Cautionary Statement was altered

lawyer mboge

Lawyer Lamin Mboge on Monday accused the police of altering the cautionary statement he made at the police headquarters in Banjul last year regarding the fraud charges leveled against him by the state.
The senior lawyer made this accusation at the magistrate’s court in Banjul where he is putting up defence against allegations of making and uttering false documents to Ebrima Sambou, commissioner for oaths in the name of one Alagie Momodou Barrow.
“I wrote my own statement but the document was altered by insertion of name and signature of an independent witness who was never present,” Mboge said. “I was surprised to see the name and signature of an independent witness in court.”

Magistrate Orders Detention of Man Cleared of Drug Charges

Magistrate Alagbe in Banjul on Friday ordered that Mansa Bah, who was cleared of charges of illicit drug trafficking, be remanded pending appeal by the state.
Mansa Bah, who was charged alongside two others for being in possession of over 14 kilograms of cocaine, was declared innocent by the same magistrate on Friday.
The decision came following defense counsel Sherrif Tambedou’s argument that no evidence was produced by the state to link up his client to the allegations.

Director of Physical Planning Ends Testimony in Richards’ Case

Moses Richards


Momodou Dunkung Colley, director of Physical Planning on Monday ended testimony at the Banjul Magistrate’s Court in the false information and sedition trial involving lawyer Moses Richards.
The former judge, now private lawyer is alleged to have told a court official that the office of the president ordered a stay of execution of a writ of possession in a civil suit; thus gave false information to a public servant and brought contempt into the person of the president of the republic.

GAMCOTRAP Officials’ Theft Case Adjourned

Amie Bojang

The theft trial involving two senior officials of Gamcotrap, women’s rights NGO has been adjourned till July 15.
Dr. Isatou Touray, executive director and Amie Bojang Sissoho, programme coordinator of GAMCOTRAP couldn’t put up defence yesterday at the Banjul Magistrate’s Court as the lead defense counsel, Amie Bensouda was not available.
She was reportedly engaged in a different matter at a higher court.
 “The lead defense counsel who has prepared the defence is unavailable,” lawyer Lamin Mboge, a member of the defense team informed the court.
 He said the senior counsel wants to lead the accused persons in their defence and urged the court to adjourn the case.

Monday, June 27, 2011

Anti Drug Agent Accused of Planting Drugs in Hotel Manager's Vehicle

 

Ocean Bay Manager

The defense counsel representing Ocean Bay manager has accused Njaga O. Jatta of National Drug Enforcement Agency of putting drugs inside the vehicle of the accused person.
“All the drug allegation is a set up that you have machinated,” lawyer Kebba Sanyang challenged the anti drug agent. “You put the drugs inside the accused person’s vehicle.”
Mr. Jatta however denied allegation.
 Mr Juergen Odenwald, general manager of 5 star Ocean Bay Hotel and Resort is standing trial on a drug charge.
Juergen is alleged to have been found in possession of two parcels of cannabis sativa in his vehicle on April 23, 2011.
Barrister Sanyang further accused the witness of lying to the court by using the bible to swear in Christian while he is a Muslim.
“You just come to court lie that’s why you used the bible while swearing whereas you are Muslim” Sanyang added.
“It is not true,” the witness protested, “I am a Christian”
“Then which church do you attend and what is the name of the pastor at the churches you attend,” Sanyang quizzed further.
Agent Jatta said, he attends many churches, but did not know the names of any of the pastors.
Jatta denied the counsel’s report that the accused person and the drivers were sent to NDEA for weightment after they were released on bail.
“That is not correct because they were all taken while they were in custody” he added
The witness however did not tell the court the names of drivers and the officers he went with to arrest the accused person, though he recalls the deputy to the accused person, Alfusainey S.K Camara.
“So you have not forgotten the name of Camara while you forget those you went with to arrest the accused,” counsel further advanced.
When asked if he had telephone conversation with Camara, the witness said he did but only after the arrest of the accused.

The case will resume on July, 1 2011.

Police Officer Denies Ex-GRTS’ Wrongful Termination

A Police Officer attached to the Police Headquarters in Banjul yesterday told the Banjul Magistrate’s Court presided over by Ma-Nyima Bojang that investigation has shown that former state owned television (GRTS) reporter was not wrongfully terminated.
“After the panel findings” said Ismaila Mbaye “we find out that he accused was not wrongfully terminated”
Mbaye was testifying as the third prosecution witness in the one count criminal charge pressed by the state against Dodou Sanneh, former GRTS reporter.
 He is accused of giving false information to a public officer that he was wrongfully terminated following a petition he wrote to the office of the president concerning his unlawful termination.
He however denied giving any false information.
According to the witness, some members of the panel visited the office of the Ombudsman and GRTS following a petition letter they received from the President’s Office that the accused was dismissed without any reason (s) advance.
He said that the accused was invited and interrogated about the allegation. He added that the accused also wrote his statement.
He said at GRTS and the office of the Ombudsman, statements were obtained from some staff which he said illustrated that the accused was not unlawfully dismissed.
“Did you find out until the time of writing the petition to the President’s Office that no reason was advanced for my termination,” the accused posed to the witness during cross-examination. “No, I did not,” the witness responded.
The witness also told the court that he did not bother to find out about the termination letter of the accused during their investigations at GRTS, if any reason (s) was advance.
“Did you in your investigation find out when Momodou Sanyang, GRTS Director General submitted the reason (s) for my termination at the office of the Ombudsman,” the accused asked and the witness said he did not.
Still under cross-examination, the witness also said he did not know if pressures were made to the GRTS management to advance reason (s) for the accused termination by the office of the Ombudsman following a case he (the accused) filed.
“I don’t know, because I was not among those investigators who went to GRTS and to the Ombudsman’s office,” the witness advance but the accused put it to him: “This means all the information you got, you were informed.”
“No,” he said but could not tell the court the reason (s) why the accused was terminated when asked by the accused.
The trial will continue June 30, 2010.

Friday, June 24, 2011

Justice Minister Advised Me to Return Barrow’s Money

lawyer Mboge

Lawyer Lamin K Mboge has informed Magistrate Ade Taiwo Alagbe that the Minister of Justice Edward Gomez advised him to returned Saikou Barrow’s money as well as the case file when he was reported to the police headquarters in Banjul for making documents without their authority.
“I received a telephone call from the police headquarters that one Saikou Barrow has lodged a complaint that I have made a false affidavit without his authority,” Mboge added.
Mr Mboge, legal practitioner made these statement as he continued with his defense at the Banjul Magistrates’ Court in the four counts charge of making false documents, uttering false documents.
Mboge is alleged to have fraudulently uttered a false document to wit: an affidavit, intent to deceive, execute an affidavit in the name of Alagie Momodou Barrow without his lawful authority and made false declaration before Ebrima Sambou, commissioner for oaths.

He strongly denied the allegation.
He added that Mr. Barrow made this allegation against him when he told him (Barrow) that he cannot withdraw the motion until he and his father appear in court, because it has already been dated. “When I refused he told me that he is going to the police to make a declaration that I made a false document,” Mboge added
He said barrow further told him that they should meet at the Minister’s office but he (Mboge) refused. “I told him that I will go to the minister if I need his advice and I don’t need it at the time.”
He said Saikou instructed him to file the motion but only to call again to withdraw the motion, because he said he and his father were not going to appear in court for the land matter.

Thursday, June 23, 2011

President Jammeh Order Us to Follow Eric T. Janneh


One Momodou Badjie, a tailor by profession and a native of Banjulinding on Monday informed the Banjul Magistrates’ Court presided over Magistrate Ade Taiwo Alagbe that the villagers of Banjulunding were ordered by President Jammeh to follow Eric T. Janneh as the alkalo of the village.
Badjie was testifying against the two loyalist of APRC who are standing trial on four counts: false information, making false documents, uttering false documents and prohibition of conduct of breaching the peace.
They are alleged to have written to the Secretary General Office of the President, stating that the alkalo of Banjulunding is disuniting the villagers and grabbing lands.
Both accused persons pleaded not guilty.
Manneh said this was made clear to them by the then Secretary General Njogu Bah in the presence of Rongo, his father, Eric T. Janneh and himself at the president’s office, State House.
At the president’s office, he said: “The Secretary General told us that he did not want to hear anything from us and that the president was aware of the problems in Banjulinding and that he wants to reunite and we should recognized Eric T Janneh as the alkalo.”
He said the then Secretary General also advised Eric T. Janneh to treat all the villagers equally and they all agreed before they left.
He said when they got back to the village they got another letter that they want Foday Jambang as their alkalo, which he said was written by Rongo, the first accused.
He added that they reported the matter to the National Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) office where his statement was taken by an officer.
He said later in the day Eric together with some elders were invited to the NDEA and were informed by the officers that they had a directive from the president and they have only two options: either to settle matter among themselves or take it to court, but he said the alkalo pleaded that the case be settled peacefully among themselves.
Badjie said Eric was finally appointed as the chairman of council of elders at the NDEA and they were told by the officers that anybody who disregards what has been settled had disobeyed the president.
Momodou Badjie told the court: “After four days Malang Badjie called a meeting, took out a letter and gave it to the first accused to read who told the gathering that the letter is from the president’s office and that Malang Badjie is the new chairman of council of elders.”
The witness said the first prosecution witness protested against Rongo’s statement, but Rongo responded that selecting elders of their village was not the work of the NDEA.
“The first accused admitted reading the letter after reporting the matter again to NDEA, but denied knowing where the letter was from Momodou explained. He added that the official vowed to investigate the matter but told the court that he is not aware if they did as they promised.
The magistrate at this juncture adjourned the case till June 29 for continuation of hearing.

Prosecution Unaware of Negotiations in NAPSA Case


sergeant Manga


Sergeant Manga representing the Inspector General of Police has told the Banjul Magistrates’ Court that he is not aware of any negotiation as claimed by the defense counsel Combeh Coker, regarding the trial of National Patriot Students, NAPSA before magistrate Ade Taiwo Alagbe.
“As far as the prosecution is concern, we are not aware of any negotiation,” the prosecution adduced, adding that even if the negotiation is going somewhere else he don’t think that should be a bar to the court to prevent the case from proceeding.
Manga was reacting to lawyer Badou Conteh’s application for adjournment. Conteh was holding brief and following the instructions of lawyer Coker that negotiation has been made and that a letter will be communicated to the police in due course.
Jarga E. Gaye, Abubacarr Jallow and Denis T. Gomez, all NAPSA Executive members are charged with three counts of criminal offenses of forgery, felony and uttering false documents.
They are accused of making false documents, defraud to make false document of Victoria Shop proforma invoices fully knowing it is false.
They denied the charges.
This is third time the case has been adjourned at the instance of the defense Manga further advanced which in his opinion is abnormal.
The magistrate also saw his dissatisfaction of the defense’s part in handling the case. “This is criminal case and is it high time to make known to the accused that it is criminal matter,” he said
He said negotiation in criminal matter should not be made out of the court and ordered the prosecution to proceed with the case.
Meanwhile, the calling of the 3rd witness has been postpone and Almamy Touray, a police officer was the newest witness to testified in the NAPSA trio case.
He told the court that he recognised accused persons because he was part of the panelist who investigated the matter.
He said he took the voluntary statements of the three accused persons including Fatou Yaffa, who earlier pleaded guilty when arraigned and was fined.
He added that accused persons accepted the criminal charged when read to them in the presence of an independent witness.
The voluntary statements were tendered and mark as evidence.
The case is expected to continue July 5, 2011 for cross-examination

Witness Denies Finding Drugs With Hotel Manager But…”

Njaga O Jatta, Anti-Narcotic agent on Friday said he did not find drugs (cannabis) with the Ocean Bay general manager at the time of his arrest in April 23, 2011.
The general manager of 5 star Ocean Bay Hotel Mr Juergen Odenwald and Resort is standing trial on a drug charge.
Juergen is alleged to have been found in possession of two parcels of cannabis sativa in his vehicle on April 23, 2011.
 He pleaded not guilty.
In response to a question posed to him by accused person’s counsel, Kebba Sanyang if he found drugs with the accused, the witness said: “I did not find any drugs with accused but it was found in vehicle station at the entrance of the hotel,” he said.
He explained: “The accused is not the only user of the vehicle, the drivers do use it too, when they are given assignments but they are ‘clear’ according to my investigation.”
Jatta who led the investigation teams told the court that some of the drivers were granted bail at Bundung NDEA.
However, he could not remember how many drivers were arrested, their names and as well as the bond.
 “But none of the drivers have a connection to drugs,” he said, when counsel quizzed how come they are not charged and brought to court just like the accused since they are all users of the vehicle.
When asked why he concluded that those drivers are innocent even though they are all user of the vehicle, Jatta said: “I am the one who cleared them. The accused used the vehicle to peddle drugs.”
Barrister Kebba Sanyang however, put it to the witness that he cleared them because his mind has already focused on the accused to trouble him. But he denied

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Superintendent Ali Ceesay: I Did Not Threatens Soriba Condeh

Superintendent Ali Ceesay, sacked prison officer has told the Special Criminal Division that he has never threatened to lock Soriba Condeh PW1 for the rest of his life differently not to testify against former Police chief Ensa Badjie.
“I did not conspired to defeat justice or interfere with witnesses,” Ceesay maintained
 Ceesay made these revelations on Wednesday as he proved innocence of corruption and drug related allegation brought against him.
He alongside the ex-Inspector General of Police are facing 15 counts ranging from robbery, aiding prisoners, abuse of office, drug related charges, interfering with witnesses and  to defeat justice.
 They strongly denied the allegation. 
According to him the allegation made by pw1 that he detained him permanently to protect the 1st accused Ensa Badjie are unfounded claims because, he did not know Ensa Badjie by then.
But he said he addresses both of them (1st accused and pw1) after he was informed that the two were not in good terms in the Mile Two prisons.
 He added that some officers even declared to move pw1 to the main yard but he refused for some security reasons
“Because pw1 is serving life imprisonment and has records of escaping from custody,” he added.
He said during the address pw1 ‘aggressively’ told him to do whatever he wants. Ceesay quoted PW1 as saying “seal me.”
 However, he made known to the court that prisoners are to be punished if they misbehave according to the prisons rules.
 “But I did not order for his confinement as he claim in this court”
Ceesay also told the court that he has never escorted pw1 during his remand time because he (pw1) never has access to visitors as investigations were still on. And secondly he said: “I was moved to take in charge of the kitchen when he was convicted. Convicts are not entitle to be visited until 3 months elapse.”
He added: “Pw1 lied when he told the court that the 1st accused and I are related because I am a Wolof and he is a Jola”
He went further to tell the court that he is from the North Bank Region while the 1st accused is from Sibanor in the Fonis.
When asked about his mother’s name and tribe, Ceesay responded that his mother is called Soffie Touray and she is a Wollof.
Meanwhile, the voter’s card of the 2nd accused person’s mother was tendered and mark as evidence without any objection from the DPP. 

I Never Take Part in Your Case Magistrate Alagbe Tells Richards Counsel but…

 
Acting Principal Ade Taiwo Alagbe has told Moses Richards’ counsel that he has never taken part in the case but has the right to properly sharpen the court.
“The court is not hinting but I will control my court. I am here for that purpose,” the magistrate stressed.
The magistrate made this remarks when barrister Gaye said “if this is the attitude of the court fine,” following the magistrate’s suggestion that the case is not a title declaration.
“I know this is not a title declaration and nobody can dictate me how to proceed with our matter,” Gaye said.
“What is going on here is far more than a hint,” he added.
Richards, a former High Court Judge – now private lawyer -is facing two criminal charges – giving false information and sedition - at the Banjul Magistrates’ Court.
He is alleged to have given false information to the Sheriff of The Gambia that the President of the republic ordered a stay of execution of a writ of possession in a civil suit; thus gave false information to a public servant and brought contempt into the person of the President of the republic.
However, he denied giving false information.
These arguments aroused following a question the defense posed to the witness, Momodou Colley alias Kunkung, Director of Physical Planning to indicate where the eviction took place in a sketched plan before the court.
The sketch according to the witness was given to a committee that was formed by a panel to find out the location where the eviction was carried out.
The panel, he said compromises of the then Chief Justice Abdou Karim Savage, the late Director General of NIA, Pa Jallow, former Justice Minister Kebba Sanyang, himself (witness) and other judicial officials. He said they were ordered to look exactly effectively to the execution of judgment without problems in the village of Jabang.
He said one portion of the sketch falls in forest reserve and that the execution did not take place at that portion, “because it is a forest,” he said
A report, he said was prepared and submitted to the panelists with his signature on it.
The defense counsel seeks to tender it but state counsel Morris Agiah objected that it is a public document that need to be certified.
 “It is not primary evidence,” he said.
But lawyer Gaye believed that the document is admissible and that objection by the state counsel was misconceived.
“The document is an original document which is signed by the author of the document and is coming from proper custody,” he said.
 However, the court ruled that the document is admissible and marked it as Exhibit C.
Trial continues June 27, 2011

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Two Liberians Acquitted, Deported

The Banjul Magistrates’ Court presided over by Magistrate Taiwo Alagba on Friday acquitted and discharged two Liberian nationals and ordered for their deportation as soon as possible.
He also ordered that the $500 from a ship captain to transport the two Liberian nationals into The Gambia be given to them.
James Woyen and Sampson Montgomery all Liberian nationals were accused of entering into the Gambia through a canoe without pass or permit on the May 29, 2011 on count 1.
They were arraigned together with four Senegalese and three Gambians who were convicted to pay a fine of D5, 000 each in default to serve six months in prison with hard labour last Monday for transporting the two Liberians illegally.
Amat Njie, Malick Faye, Alieu Jallow and Abdoulie Jallow, all Senegalese, as well as Modou Trawally, Wuyeh Njie and Ansumana Bojang, all Gambians, were convicted upon their plea of guilt in conspiring to commit an offence.
“They have learned their lessons for the days they spend in remand,” the magistrate said.
 The magistrate also granted the prosecution application to order for the boat to be returned to the owners which he said is grounded at the Navy.

Friday, June 17, 2011

Court Refuses to Quash Theft Charge on GAMCOTRAP Officials

 

Dr Touray and Amie Bojang

Two officials of Gamcotrap, Dr Isatou Touray and Amie Bojang who are accused of theft have a case to answer, magistrate Alagbe in Banjul said yesterday.
Dr Isatou Touray, executive director and Amie Bojang Sissoho, programme coordinator of GAMCOTRAP are accused of stealing €30, 000.00 provided by YALOCAMBA SOLIDARIDAD, a Spain-based NGO, but denied wrong-doing.
The ruling followed defense counsels’ demand for the court to quash charge on the women rights activists for lack of evidence, in spite of the testimonies of eight state witnesses.
“The issue is not whether the prosecution has proven case, but to establish prima facie,” Alagbe said. “The court taking the present evidence holds that prima facie has been proven.”
He ruled in favour of the state and ordered the accused person to enter defense.
The trial resumes June 28, 2011.

Lawyer Secka Appeals Against Sentence on ‘Rapist’s’ Relatives

 
 
Senior defense lawyer Pap Cheyassin Secka has appealed against the sentence of D25, 000. 00 imposed on each of the four women convicted of contempt of court.
Mammy Faal, Fatou Faal, Awa Jah, and Kumba Gisseh heckled after Justice Joberteh handed down a sentence of life imprisonment on their relative, Lamin Jah, who was convicted for rape, assault and robbery on Monday.
They were sentenced to a fine of D25, 000.00 or in default to serve three years in prison. The women came to court under escort to hear their appeal, but the case could not proceed.

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Do Women Really Cheat On Their Husbands?

 
“Marriage is sometimes entered into lightly, but the reality is that it’s a commitment which needs nurturing and patience in order to be successful. The secret to a long and happy marriage is not really secrets at all.
 Just know how to retain the love and friendship which brought you together in the first place,” Women’s Bantabaa finds out.

Logically yes, women who deem that men do most of the cheating do cheat on their husbands. Women cheat just as much as men do. To say who cheats more would be more of a guess, even though there are basic statistics out there suggesting that men cheat more than woman, but a survey conducted by Women’s Bantabaa reveals that cheating women are just as common as cheating men.
Infact some women who spoke to Women’s Bantabaa   said women are catching up fast in cheating their partners.
Yet, this has brought a strong debate because there is a believed in our societies that only men cheat. Suspicion and evidences of cheating have lead to many divorces.
We first caught up with Muhammad Jallow, a father of two who said he is not even sure if his wife has once cheated on him.
 “But I know women cheat more than men now and they cheat for different reasons, sometime for lack of sexual satisfaction, lack of love from their marital partners or material interest in other men.”
He added: “But the day I find out my wife has cheated on me she will not spend the night in my house. That will be the end of the relationship no matter what love brought us together.”
When asked if he has ever cheated on his wife, Muhammad has these to say.
“I believe that if you choose to have a relationship with someone, then you should both love each other before you make the commitment.  Women cheating on their husbands have become a concern to men especially married men,”  Mberry Bah told women’s Bantabaa.
  .”
Mberry whose husband is out of the country for almost 10 years said she have never cheated on his husband.
 “I can be sure of mine, but I don’t know what he is up to. I don’t know if he has cheated on me or not. Even if he did and I know it, it will not prompt me to do the same, because relationship is about loyalty.”
She said women cheat but tend to hide or downplay the extent of their extramarital affairs, while men tend to inflate their number of affairs and sexual partners. She added that one of the main reasons why some women cheat is that men fail to give them the attention they need.  she said: “ Its is the basic element of any relationship especially for married couples.”
Buba Sillah, 26, believes that women cheat   only when their husbands failed to show them love, respect and support they deserve from them.  
If this happen, he said some women may look elsewhere to have their emotional and physical needs fulfilled he added.
We (women) generally cheat as a last resort when all our complaints are left unheard, said Binta Saidy.
 “As a last resort, a woman may cheat, but generally for emotional reasons rather than for sexual reasons. Many women became unfaithful for reasons that could be easily rectified by their husbands who are willing to make the extra work within a relationship,” she added.
For this reason she said:
 “I believe that the majority of the cheating by women is preventable.”
“Cheating by men may also be preventable through greater communications in every aspect of the relationship. Some kind of mutual agreement that benefits both in the relationship is always the best,” she added.
Filly Bangura, a divorced woman said many married women also develop a habit of secrecy about smaller issues in their relationship as a way of maintaining some kind of control.
 A woman, she said, will cheat when she feels her needs are not being fulfilled or she has spoken to her partner about this and has got not any respectful response.”
When ask if women are catching up fast in cheating their husbands, David Colley had this to say: “Women tend to look their best at work. They want to look attractive and presentable to their bosses. In the workplace, men see women in their best and not the same when they’re at home. Women harass men too. Cheating at the workplace is a very big problem and it’s happening between men and women.”
For Paul Mendy, men cheat but women are the mastermind of the game. “Can you imagine my wife who I have always trusted cheated on me for three years with my cousin without a single knowledge about it? After realizing her extra marital affairs with him, they decided to marry. 
According to Mariama Ceesay, a 35-years-old businesswoman, women especially married ones cheat even with their husbands’ close relatives, while their husbands are away. “Young women will start to consider the kind of life they want, what kind of job or house they aspire to live in, how many children they’d like and what kind of partners. Emotionally, they make plans and have strategies, while men are more impulsive. And if they fail that, they started dating outside marriage,” she added
A married man who does not want to be named said: “Why would a woman want to cheat on his husband? “As a loving and devoted husband I wonder why this question because I have no desire to be in that position. But the question remains: “What compels a woman to forget his marriage vows and commits adultery,” he said, adding most women lie when they are dating outside marriage so much that often we don’t even think of it as lying at all,” he added.
Marriage, he said, is a real thing while love is an ideal thing,”
According to Raymond Sylva, a cobbler her ex-wife has cheated on him for 3 three years by having an extra marital affairs with his best friend.
 “Not only did she cheat on me, but divorced me as well and married my friend.
Mr Sylva who fears that the same thing will happen if he marries again said:
 “This will always be in my memory because I hate to be hurt.”
Mohammed Tambala, a pharmacist said women cheat because men spend more time with their female colleagues at work than   with their wives at home.
“The workplace is also a fertile ground for cheating, because people tend to leave their grumpy feelings behind when they go to work. At home, people are stressed over bills, taking care of the kids and problems with their spouse.”
Neneh Cham told Women’s Bantabaa that women cheat because they don’t want to stay in the relationship but feel they cannot get out of the marriage for some reasons. “When a man or a woman cheats while in a marital relationship, it is obvious that they do not love their spouses  the way it should be.”
I have known my wife for 38 years, and have been married for 33 years and neither of us has cheated on the other,” said Mr. Haman Dooley proprietor of Lily Supermarket.
“The answer to being a faithful husband or wife is simply to have trust in God. He is there to help men and women in  times of temptation,” he added.

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

‘Justice Minister Knows I Have No Power to Evict’

 
Lawyer Mboge
Lamin K Mboge, a private legal counsel has denied his clients Saikou Barrow and father, Alagie Momodou Barrow’s statement that Justice Minister Edward Gomez asked him to write an eviction letter and to take the police to evict the people occupying their property.
“Justice Minister knows that I cannot evict anyone by writing an eviction letter and that I have no power to take the police to evict the occupants from that property,” Mboge said.
He explained that he was invited by the Justice Minister, who asked him to offer legal advice to the two to regain their property as they are poor and do not have money.
 A former magistrate, lawyer Mboge is standing trial at the magistrates’ court in Banjul for allegedly making and uttering false document for his clients, but he pleaded not guilty.
“I did not forge any document, I did not utter any false document and I did not make any document without authority,” he said, as he put up his defence.
The trial resumes today.

Friday, June 10, 2011

"Ex MP Owns the Drugs"


Ex-parliamentarian
Demba Baldeh, a former military officer is not
allowing to be left holding the bag as he took
turn to clear himself of allegations of drug
trafficking.
13 bundles of cannabis sativa were found in a
bag when police intercepted the vehicle of Dawda
Manneh, a former ruling party parliamentarian in
2009 in the rural Sololi village in CRR.
However, both the ex lawmaker and ex military
officer on board the vehicle have denied
ownership of the bag that contains the illicit
drugs.
Dawda Manneh had earlier said the illicit drugs
belongs to Demba Baldeh, who he gave a lift in
his car, but Demba on Wednesday countered the
accusation as he testified at Banjul
Magistrates’ Court.
“I was surprised when I learned that the bag
that was in the car boot was containing
cannabis,” the ex soldier has said.
Demba said, throughout their journey from Kombo
until their arrest at Sololi, Dawda Manneh was
exercising his parliamentary influence to avoid
search at various security checkpoints.
Even when the police intercepted them in Sololi,
he said the former lawmaker told the police that
they were embarrassing him as a parliamentarian,
but the police insisted that his vehicle must be
searched.
Among the belongings found in the car, Demba
said, he owns the bag of rice and a gallon of
cooking oil, which the ex lawmaker also claimed
as his. 
Meanwhile the lawyer Lamin Mboge has withdrawn
representation for Dawda Manneh for reasons
unexplained.
The trial will continue June 20. 2011.

Lawyer Mboge Withdraws Representation for ex IGP Ensa Badjie


Lawyer Mboge
“With a deep sense of regret and remorse, I
withdraw my representative for Ensa Badjie, the
ex Inspector General of Police (IGP),” lawyer
Lamin K Mboge announced in court Wednesday
without advancing any reason.
Ex police chief and Tijan Badjie, an ex-
prosecutor are standing trail on four counts
charges, including interfering with witnesses,
defeating justice, destroying evidence and abuse
of office. Both pleaded not guilty.
Meanwhile, the ex National Assembly Member for
Kombo North who is appearing as state witness
no.3 in the trial was cross-examined by the
second accused person, Tijan Badjie.
Musa Susso maintained that former police chief,
Ensa Badjie asked him to tell lies against
Benedict Jammeh, a former police chief now head
of national drug agency and Burama Dibba, former
Crime Management Coordinator of Gambia Police
Force.
However, he noted that all the allegations he
made against David Colley, director of prisons
are founded. 
Mr Susso denied having a score to settle with
either of the accused persons, even though Tijan
Badjie was the prosecutor in the criminal trial
he was involved.
 “I’m putting it to you that all what you said
in this court other than your name and address
is all false,” Tijan advanced, but Muso insisted
that he narrated the truth.

Children Experience Violence, Exploitation and Abuse, Says Health Minister


Add caption
Children worldwide experience violence,
exploitation and abuse and are engaged in
exploitative conditions of work, said the
minister of Health and Social Welfare.
Ms Fatim Badjie was addressing participants from
different African countries at the week-long
meeting for the coordinators of West African
Network on Children on the move.
Underway at Paradise Suites Hotel, Kololi, the
participants are drawn from Mali, Senegal,
Niger, Guinea Bissau, Guinea, Ivory Coast and
Burkina Faso. 
In West Africa, several tens of thousands of
children are estimated to be in need of special
protection, especially from abuse, human
trafficking and slave trading.
According to the Health minister, these made
children suffer both physical and psychological
harm with irreparable effects.
The meeting was funded by the International
Social Service (ISS) Swiss
Foundation to reduce the movement related risks
for children in West Africa, Europe and
elsewhere.
The Child and Environmental Development
Association The Gambia is a partner to the
network.
“Every child needs a preventive environment that
embraces all areas of social live, where laws,
behaviour and practice minimise children’s
susceptibility to risk as well strengthen their
own resilience,” minister Badjie added.
She called for the protection of children and
mindset of families’ beliefs and practice but
condemned the pester of parents to give children
appropriate guidance as they grow up to
adulthood
”Just because a child possesses rights
does not mean that every dispute between
children and parents will end up in a court of
law or police state,” she said, noting that
relying on love alone for a child’s wellbeing
cannot ensure protection when units erode or
when the trust of the child for protection is
betrayed.

Four Senior Prison Officers Case Suffers Setback

 
The trial of four senior prison officers accused
of corruption, among others on Wednesday
suffered a setback at the Banjul Magistrates’
Court.
Abdoulie Bojang, Solo Manga, Buba Badjie and
Bakary are facing allegations of destroying
evidence, given unauthorized communications to
prisoners and corruption, but pleaded not
guilty.
When the case resumed on Wednesday, neither the
director of public prosecution nor the defense
counsels could tell the whereabouts of the
suspects.
“I think the state will be in the right position
to answer the whereabout of the suspects,”
defense lawyer Neneh Cham said.
But the DPP said, he has no idea. “The prison
officers are responsible for that,” he said
Meanwhile, Abdoulie Bojang is facing three
charges. He is said to have removed a cell phone
card in a Samsung cell phone recovered from
prison, knowing it could be used as evidence in
court.
He is also alleged to have introduced prohibited
articles in prison – gave cell phone to inmates:
Batch Samba Faye and former defense Chief Lang
Tombong Tamba, a treason convict.
Solo Manga and Buba Badjie are facing similar
allegations of providing cell phones to inmates,
while Bakary Jammeh, the fourth accused person
is alleged to have corruptly received D100 from
Ousman Ndow to show favour to Alieu Bah, an
inmate.
The firth accused person is at large.
The case resumes Monday May 13 2010.

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Married Men Speak Against FGM“If women are affected, men are affected, too”

Lamin Village Alkalo (village head)

Dr. Touray
For various so-called cultural reasons, the support of Gambian men in the crusade against deep-seated cultural practice of female genital mutilation have been significantly missing, even though some have fallen victim of scoures of the practice in no smaller measure than a mutilated woman.
However, this trend is rapidly changing in recent times in The Gambia, thanks largely to Gamcotrap’s efforts in giving equal focus on the sensitisation of men on female genital mutilation and its related issues.
One such training, in which both men and women took part to learn ended with men participants admitting that men too have been unspared by the effects of FGM and expressed resolve to join the crusade in protecting women and girls.
 “This is not the time for apportioning blame and complaining. What we need to do is chart way forward regarding women’s health”, Councilor for Lamin Ward, Fabakary Manneh told Women’s Bantabaa.
“It is time to think of positive ways to motivate our wives and girl child and also to end female genital mutilation. We should be willing to make a necessary compromise because when women are affected, men are affected, too.”
He said he never dreamt of women expressing their view, by making their sufferings known to the whole world. “I always thought: Should women bear the brunt of suffering and die in silence, while we men fold our hands,” Manneh added.
“I am asking Gambian men to be a stronger part in the fight against FGM, which inspite its horible effects, it is still being widely practiced in some communities,” said  Ebrima Bojang, Alkalo of Lamin.
Mr Bojang said, it is part of their culture but other women are slowly resisting this move, which has been pointed out many times as pre-Islamic in African practice that affected Christians, Muslims and animists alike.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 100 million to 140 million girls and women worldwide have been circumcised.
Cultural, religious and social factors have helped keep the practice alive among those who believe it will reduce promiscuity and take away sexual pleasure or desire.
 “No man owns a woman and no one have the right to force his or her girl child to undergo the practice.  I feel sad when I see girls crying in severe pain,” said Momodou Sanneh a resident of Babylon whose girl child were unspared by the practice.
 “I have watched my daughter suffer in the hands of circumcisers. I had enough and began my rebellion to free other innocent girls for them not suffer like the way women who underwent the practice.
“After attending this three-day training, I am convinced that the practice should not be allowed to continue under the guise of tradition or religion,” he said.
“Any man who cannot be convinced that FGM affects the health of women should know that the rights of their girl child should not be tampered with. Now is the right time to wipe the tears of the girl child or should be wiped right now, than later.”
“Had I known,” said Alasana Bah, a resident of Nema Kunku, “none of my female children will undergo the practice.”
The Islamic scholar added: “From the first chapter of the Qur’an to the end, there is no Surah (verse) which indicates that a woman should be circumcised and I can say publicly that FGM is not an Islamic prescription.”
According to Bah, majority of the women who were circumcised were not mutilated based on the religious perspective but they found their ancestors doing it culturally.
“I keep wondering why they need to undergo such suffering. Women are our wives, mothers, and daughters. I don’t think it is human to see them languishing in pain,” said Ousman Jarju of Banjulinding.
He said, communication is the key to maintenance of health. “Be friends with your wives and children and share your views. Keep thinking about what you can do to bring about the best qualities of the health of your girl child,” he added. According to these men there is need to work with women in matters relating to FGM if this war is to be won.  They revealed that men need to encourage women to be active in the fight against the practice.
“Life is much easier when you know the things that make life miserable and unbearable.  We all need to feel the pain our daughters went through.” This man who could not put himself together said, “I don’t think my daughters will ever forgive me.”
Bakary Jobe of Abuko added: “It is sad to see one’s daughter suffering and will never say daddy I am dying”.
Lamin AK Fofana, health worker attached to the Busumbala Health Center told Women’s Bantabaa that the practice has many implications.
“I attended women at the clinic whose private parts are very abnormal. In the sense it change the formation and they do suffer a lot during delivery, which I came to realised was caused by FGM.”
“This ordeal” he said, “has caused many women to develop a genital malformation.”
Fofana fears that the practice of FGM is fueling the spread of HIV in numerous communities.
Mr Fofana who also serves as the community based facilitator for GAMCOTRAP said it can cause the worst of abnormality in women. “In some cases, cutting during delivery can increase risk of maternal morbidity rate among babies born to women who have undergone the practice.”
“I almost collapsed last month when my wife called from the village that she was going to circumcise our girl child. We went further to look at the issue of childbirth, and he was quick to add that existing scar tissue on excised women may tear and those whose genitals have been tightly closed, have to be cut to allow delivery.”
Female genital mutilation is a violation of basic human rights principles, as stipulated in Article 24.3 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).
The cutting is usually carried out by older women with knives, razor blades and according to the World Health Organization the practice causes severe pain and has several immediate and long term health consequences.
The practice is internationally recognized as a violation of human right and many countries has put in place polices and legislation to ban it but the Gambia is yet to ban it.  Many communities seem to show less support for the practice and therefore the global drive to eliminate the practice is proving difficult.
It has to be clear that the vast differences among Muslim and traditional societies make most generalisations too simplistic. There is a wide spectrum of mixed attitudes towards women and girls today.
For Mbackeh Sanneh he usually had a push and pull with his wife who insists that their first child will not be circumcised. “I swear to her that I will take action against her if she takes my child to the circumcisers”
 “A man’s responsibility is to protect with honesty and fairness to his family. That is my interest: “to carry out the duties of a caring father.”
“These attitudes” he said, “vary from one society to another and within each individual society certain general trends are discernible. So let’s at least respect the women’s bodily integrity and their health”
Sanneh was among the men who were trained on the implication of Female Genital Mutilation recently by GAMCOTRAP in Lamin village, Kombo North, West Coast Region and has called for an end to it.
GAMCOTRAP is one of the leading organizations working in the area of women and girls’ empowerment, FGM and other harmful practices that affect the lives and circumstances of women and girls in the Gambia.
  GAMCOTRAP’s years of struggle and countless efforts have contributed significantly to be development of women and girls in the Gambia and elsewhere and has led to over 100(one hundred) circumcisers dropping their knives publicly and abandoning the practice.

I Was Denied Witnesses During My Trial - Musa Suso

 

Ex-parliamentarian

Former Kombo North Parliamentarian revealed that he was denied witnesses when he was being tried on charges of false information in 2009.
Musa Susso made this revelation on Tuesday when he appeared as a state witness in the trial of former police chief Ensa Badjie and ex-police prosecutor Tijan Badjie.
Both men are standing trial on four count charges, including abuse of office, interfering with witnesses and defeating justice, but denied the allegations.
Mr Suso, who had been convicted and sentenced said, he could have won his case, if he was not denied access to witnesses.
“I was denied witnesses because the person they alleged that I lied against is the director of Prisons,” he said.
The ex-lawmaker said, he also had to withdraw appeal against his conviction because he was denied medical care.
Musa re-iterated that the former police chief on several occasions forced him to lie against former crime management coordinator of Gambia Police Force.
“You are under oath Mr Suso. Do you know the consequences of lying before this court?” defense lawyer Mboge cautioned. But Mr Suso maintained that he was stating the truth.
The case resumes today for the court to decide whether or not to accept a statement the state wants to tender as evidence.

Lawyer Mboge to Defend Innocence

 

Barrister Mboge

Lawyer Lamin K. Mboge, a private legal practitioner is expected to defend innocence on allegations of making and uttering false documents with intent to deceive a Commissioner for oaths.
The director of Public Prosecution, Abdullah Mikilive yesterday informed the court he is satisfied with evidences made against the accused person after the testimony of the fifth witness, who denied that Mboge is his lawyer.
“Then why did you pay me,” Mboge asked the witness, Barrow, 70s. “Because I wanted to get my land back,” he replied.
Mr Barrow said the Minister of Justice told him that he is going get him a lawyer but did not tell him what the lawyer was going to do.
“I am putting it to you that the Minister never told me to take the police to evacuate the people from their houses as you claimed,” Mboge advanced.
Barrow insisted that that Mboge was ordered to do so by the justice minister. “You are lying in court,” Mboge told the old man who rose from his chair to challenge the accused person’s statement

Judgment Awaits Some Liberian, Senegalese and Gambian Men on Illegal Entry

Two Liberians and their Gambian and Senegalese counterparts who helped them enter into The Gambia illegally are awaiting judgment after they after guilty.
James Woyen and Sampson Montgomery, all Liberian nationals have admitted canoeing their way into Gambia without a pass or permit on May 29, 2011.
Amat Njie, Malick Faye, Alieu Jallow, Abdullah Jallow, all Senegalese nationals and Modou Trawally, Wuyeh Njie, Ansumana Bojang, all Gambians have admitted receiving US$500 from a ship captain to smuggle the Liberian men into the country.
Police theory reveals that the two Liberians hid in a vessel without the captain’s knowledge and showed up when the ship departed.
The captain is said to have sympathised with men and promised to transport them to France, but later changed his mind and offered 500 dollars to Amat Njie, a boat captain and his crew to bring them into the Gambia.
The prosecution said they were arrested upon arrival at the Banjul terminal, but the two Liberians disputed some of the findings of the police.
James Woyen, who claims to be a college student, said they attended president Jammeh’s birthday party at the July 22 square.
Later that night, he said, one of the accused persons, Ansumana Bojang told them to go their own because they could not return them to Liberia.
He said, he went back with his brother, the second accused person to the terminal where they were arrested and escorted to Banjul police headquarters the following day.
Judgment will be delivered June 13. 

Monday, June 6, 2011

Gamcotrap Officials’ Trial in Defining Stage

 

Dr Isatou Touray, Excutive Director GAMCOTRAP

The theft trial involving two prominent women right activists of Gamcotrap, a women’s rights NGO has been finally set for ruling on whether or not to continue with the trial come June 16.
Dr Isatou Touray, executive director and Amie Bojang Sissoho, programme coordinator of GAMCOTRAP are accused of stealing €30, 000.00 provided to them by YALOCAMBA SOLIDARIDAD, a Spain-based NGO, but denied wrong-doing. 
The case has suffered setbacks in recent times before Banjul Magistrate’s Court Wednesday adopted both the defense and prosecution’s briefs of legal arguments.
The defense lawyers want the court to strike-out since, according to them, the state has failed to produce evidence, even though eight state witnesses testified.
The prosecution on the other hand said, it is satisfied with the volume of evidences against the accused persons.

Fired Drug Agency Boss Likely to Testify Against Intelligence Officers

 
Bun Sanneh, former NDEA Boss
Embattled ex-national drug agency boss facing multiple charges of corruption and drug abuse is likely to testify against NIA operatives accused of torturing anti narcotic officers, who uncovered their alleged illicit drug deal.
Director of Special Litigation D.O Kulo Wednesday filed an application in court for Ebrima Bun Sanneh and Ousman Sanneh, ex-commissioner of operations to testify against the four intelligence officers.
Lamin Darboe, Ebrima Drammeh, Edrissa Jobe and Omar Jammeh all Intelligence officers have allegedly injured Lamin Kabou and Lamin Sima, all anti drug officers, after torturing them using fist blows, electric cables and metals. They denied the charges.
The case resumes June 6.

‘Allegation on Sacked Top Agric. Officials is Speculation’

 

agric Ps on the Right hand

The theft allegation on five former top officials of Ministry of Agriculture is based on speculation, the prosecution admitted on Wednesday at Banjul Magistrates’ Court.
Dr Amadou Sowe, ex-permanent secretary, Abdurrahman Jobe ex-P.S no.2, Mbye Jabang, project manager of Gambia National Agriculture Investment Programme (GNAIP), Bakary L.O Sonko, deputy director, GNIP, and Mustapha Jatta, accounts clerk are alleged to have embezzled sums of money earmarked for the implementation of GNAIP, a five-year agriculture investment plan.
They denied any wrong-doing.
And when Superintendent Joof, who represents the state in the trial Wednesday revealed that investigators are still working on the reports and that the charge is based on speculation, magistrate Alagbe threatened to strike out the case.
“The prosecution can withdraw the case until when they are ready,” said Defense counsel Gaye, noting that another adjournment will be unfair to the accused persons eventhough they are bailed. 
 However, the presiding magistrate subsequently adjourned the case pending the prosecution’s readiness to proceed.

Four Senior Prison Officers Remanded

Four senior prison officers accused of, among others, corruption, are being remanded in jail after Banjul Magistrate’s Court Wednesday denied to grant them bail for fear of interfering with witnesses.
Abdoulie Bojang, Solo Manga, Buba Badjie and Bakary Jammeh have all pleaded not guilty to allegations of destroying evidence, given unauthorised communications to prisoners and corruption.
Abdoulie Bojang, who faces three charges, is said to have removed a cell phone card in a Samsung cell phone recovered from prison, knowing it could be used as evidence in court.
He is also alleged to have introduced prohibited articles in prison – gave cell phone to inmates: Batch Samba Faye and former defense chief Lang Tombong Tamba, a treason convict.
Solo Manga and Buba Badjie are facing similar allegations of providing cell phones to inmates, while Bakary Jammeh, the fourth accused person is alleged to have corruptly received D100 from Ousman Ndow to show favour to Alieu Bah, an inmate.
The Deputy Director of Public Prosecution Abdullah Mikalive said, investigations are still going-on and that more charges are likely to be brought against the accused persons.