Bid to force Kah to Court Failed

Professor Kah

The Magistrates’ Court in Banjul on Monday has turned down the prosecution’s request to oblige Professor Muhammadou M O .Kah to testify against Gumbo Touray, a former top official of University of The Gambia (UTG).

The UTG Vice Chancellor Kah, was supposed to give testimony when the case resumed on Monday May 21, but was reported to have traveled out of the jurisdiction.

This prompted Supt. Sainey Joof, a police officer, prosecuting Gumbo Touray to request the court to subpoena Prof Kah.

“The court can only force a person who refuses to come to court,” defense lawyer Badou Conteh said, however.

And the presiding magistrate, Ade TaiwoAlagbe has refused to grant the application, because he believed that Prof Kah is willing to come to court.

Gumbo Touray was the former director of International Affairs of the University of The Gambia, but fell out with Prof Kah, who allegedly suspended and later fired him.

He is now standing trial on allegations of giving false information to a public office. This charge, which could land Mr Touray in jail for six months stemmed from a petition he addressed to Gambian president Yahya Jammeh, over alleged administrative irregularities at UTG by the first Gambian-born Vice Chancellor.

In the said petition, Touray has allegedly claimed, among other things that Prof Kah is bent on appointing his relatives, has gross disregards for the University authority and wastes the University’s scarce resources.

Gumbo, has however, denied any wrongdoing. The case resumes June 4, 2012.

Author: Binta A Bah