Lawyer Seeks Bail for ex-Finance Minister

Mambury Njie

By Binta A Bah

Lawyer Lamin S Camara has seek for the release of former Minister of Finance and Secretary General, Mambury Njie on bail yesterday at the High Court in Banjul.

The affidavit in support of bail sworned by the accused wife urged the court to use it ‘discretion’ and warrant the accused bail.

“The applicant has been on bail before in connection with these charges by both the Banjul Magistrate Court and the High Court,” Camara submitted.

Njie, Ex- Minister is standing trial on two counts of economic crime and neglect of duty.

He is accused of recklessly causing the Gambia Government loss, by failing to advise government on matters pertaining to mining operations of Carnegie Minerals Gambia Limited between 2001 and 2006 while he was the Secretary General and head of Civil Servant.

Lawyer Lamin Camara

Allegations he strongly denied.

“The applicant won’t interfere with investigation. He has no prior criminal record and most importantly he will not jump bail because his travelling documents are with the NIA” He said.

Editor Jobe’s Lawyer Wants Court to Subpoena Doctor

The High court in Banjul will issue a subpoena to the doctor who treated the former editor-in-chief of the Daily Observer newspaper to testify as defense witness.
The doctor’s name was not mentioned when the case resumes onbut he is expected to come from the department of surgery, hospital management board at the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital.
Alhajie Jobe is standing trial on a five-count charge of an act with seditious intention, seditious publication, and possession of seditious publication, giving false information to public servant, and reckless and negligent act. His co-accused, Mbye Bittay is facing a single count of making preparation to do act with seditious intention.  
Both accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges against them. Jobe’s counsel, S Gaye said “He is a very crucial witness” referring to the doctor to be subpoenaed when the judge, Justice Emmanuel Ahmadi asked him: “Why not close the case”. “The witness is a doctor and he treated the accused,” Gaye said

GAMCOTRAP CPA Condemn the Abduction of Nigerian Girls

L-R: National Coordinator, Child Protection Alliance, Njundu Drammeh, Ambassador Esther John 

Audu and Executive Director Of GAMCOTRAP Dr. Isatou Touray

Nearly a month since more than 200 hundred girls were abducted in Nigeria, GAMCOTRAP and Child protection alliance (CPA), have condemn the act of Boko Haram, a Islamist militias based in the country.

GAMCOTRAP, a women’s right NGO working in the area of girls/women and CPA said in a joint statement “we condemn this atrocity.”

Boko haram attacked and captured 200 plus Nigerian girls in April, action that have been condemn from all corners of the world.

 “We express our deepest sympathy to the families of these girls and the entire Nigerian nation for this unholy, unacceptable and disgraceful act,” the release stated. “We call on the whole world to Rise Up against these atrocities.”

Despite condemnation, the leader of Boko Haram said he I will sell the girls.

“This is a serious bridge of the principles to which Islam is founded upon. Islam respects the dignity of the person, especially women, and is clearly stipulated in the holy Koran in various verses underscoring the respect and dignity of the woman.”

Ex-Finance Minister MAMBURY NJIE Remanded

 The high court in Banjul has remanded former Finance and Economic Affairs Minister and ex-diplomat, Mr. Mambury Njie, two weeks after he was re-arrested.

His remand came after he pleaded not guilty to two counts of economic crime and neglect of duty this morning before Justice Abdallah.

Njie has been accused of recklessly causing the Gambia Government loss, by failing to advise government on matters pertaining to mining operations of Carnegie Minerals Gambia Limited between 2001 and 2006 while he was the Secretary General and head of Civil Servant.

Gambia Government called on to investigate Deyda Hydara's murder

Photo credit: Haddija Jawara

Nine years on since journalist Deydara was killed, the Gambia Press Union (GPU), has calledl on the Gambia government to do justice in the murder of journalist Deyda Hydara killed in the line of duty.

 Late Deyda Hydara,  was the managing editor and co-proprietor of The Point newspaper, who was murdered on 16th December 2004. on his paper’s anniversary day. Gambian authorities has never brought the assassins to book

 ‘We call on the Gambia government to properly investigate and brought out assassins of Deyda Hydara,” Jibairu Janneh, executive director of the union said. “Our position still stands the same.”

Janneh was speaking on world press freedom day, a day used to remember colleagues who have been victimize for just speaking out the truth.

World Press Freedom Day is observed annually on 3 May to remind countries and people all around the world, that freedom of the press and freedom of speech and expression are fundamental human rights.

This day is often held to remember many journalists who have died or faced jail in order to bring news to the public.

Photo credit: Haddija Jawara

The government has also been called to do justice in the disappearance of Ebrima ‘chief ’Manneh, who went missing since 2007. Alarmingly, Gambian authorities cannot account for Manneh's whereabouts, and over the years have given evasive and inconsistent responses to regional and international inquiries.

This year’s theme for this day, as declared by the UN, is “Media Freedom for a Better Future: Shaping the post-2015 Development Agenda”.

Done in different styles in other parts of the world, The Gambia celebrates it at the Tango office in a form of symposium with panelists who made presentations in different topics.