Former speaker Fatoumata Jahumpa Ceesay has offered her view of the sentencing of former AFPRC junta member Yankuba Touray.

Mr Touray was earlier this month found guilty of killing former finance minister Ousman Koro Ceesay. He was then sentenced to death.

But according to Fatoumata Jahumpa Ceesay, a close friend of Mr Touray, the former army captain’s conviction and sentence is one of the craziest in the world.

She told Gambian Talents Promotion: “You know more than me that the sentence they did is one of the craziest sentence ever in the whole world and it’s political. He has appealed and we will see. And Yankuba has faith and he is innocent and everybody knows he is innocent.”

A letter purportedly by Sainabou Martin Sonko has emerged online showing the embattled KMC chief executive officer expressing remorse over her actions of acquiring a staggering loan for the purpose of buying a land, a day after KM Mayor Talib Bensouda called her out for engaging in fraud and theft.

The letter dated July 15 shows Mrs Sonko who is said to have taken 12 million dalasis telling KM Mayor Talib Bensouda the staff welfare association through her leadership brokered a loan facility from AGIB bank to acquiring a 100mx100m land in Brufut.

“However, the fact that the transaction is perceived to be illegal and the AGIB was instructed to freeze the account of the property vendor; I therefore truly regret my actions and any inconvenience that may have emanated from the loan acquisition from AGIB,” Mrs Sonko purportedly told Mayor Bensouda on July 15. A top KMC official told The Fatu Network the letter was Mrs Sonko’s.

The Fatu Network reached out to Mrs Sonko but she is yet to respond to a request for comment.

KM Mayor Bensouda on Monday told reporters the actions of Mrs Sonko were very serious – as he revealed she took illegally 12 million dalasis and used it to buy land.

“The actions of Mrs Sonko are very serious and we believe they are criminal in nature, ranging from fraud, tax evasion and theft. Mrs Sonko was confronted in a directors’ meeting of 12th July 2021 wherein she confessed to her actions and apologized to the management team of KMC,” Mr Bensouda said.

By Fatou Camara II

Thieves broke into the house of one a Brusubi Phase 1 residence on June 1 and stole items worth about 1.5 million dalasis.

Ms Riley explained thieves managed to enter her highly secure home, broke her car and made it to her bedroom where they even had the time to eat and drink and then steal her items.

She explained: “They broke into the back of the house, cut off the wire. Then they came in and broke the locks on my gate. They opened my car and took the suitcases I had there. They also broke my burglarproof, get into the main living room and broke my bedroom door.

“I was in bed with my daughter and her friend that was there to sleep over because we were traveling and they took all the jewelry that was there and all the tech items that was there as well.

“I hope somebody can provide any kind of information and I am willing to give up to $500 for any kind of information received.”

Police spokesman Lamin Njie confirmed the incident and said the case is under investigation by police.

Gorgi Mboob has returned to anti-crime as leader of the police’s crime battling outfit.

Mr Mboob returned to anti-crime effective Monday July 26.

Police in October last year removed Mr Mboob as leader of anti-crime and sent him to Farafenni after the National Human Rights Commission published details of its investigation where the rights group asked authorities to punish Mr Mboob for torturing Ebrima Sanneh. Mr Mboob hit the young man on his genitals while he was detained at anti-crime.

Police have issued a statement asking individuals who had fulfilled requirements for selection into the Gambia Police Force and were accordingly selected for Basic Recruitment Training in 2017 -2018 to report to the Police Intervention Unit between July 28 and July 30.

“In this regard, all candidates are reminded that they should come along with their original certificates and national documents for verification. They are equally urged to report on the prescribed dates and on time.

“The cooperation and understanding of the public, particularly the selected candidates, is highly solicited,” police said.

Baba Jah said ‘I insulted him and I did it deliberately’ as he explained his side of the story following his face-off with UDP’s Pata Saidykhan.

Jah and Saidykhan were separated after a fight broke out between them on Sunday at a reunion party in Seattle, Washington.

Jah said on Monday: “I was the one who saw Pata and insulted him. I did it deliberately. I am a man and I am not one to sit on Facebook and insult people. I was the one who insulted Pata and he held my hand and pushed me.

“As I was falling to the ground, I used my hand to place them on the ground and my knees touched the ground. I got up and then called the police. When the police came, they asked Pata and he told them he did lay hands on me. I told police he assaulted me and I want to press charges.”

UDP’s Pata Saidykhan has broken his silence following a ‘fight’ between him and NPP’s Baba Jah.

Gambians in America reunited in Seattle, Washington on Sunday amid the July 4 celebrations in the country which Saidykhan and Jah both attended.

The latter was recently in The Gambia and angered UDP supporters with his comments on Tonya Kesso against UDP leader Darboe.

Pata, a known UDP supporter, and Jah who is a known NPP supporters squared off when they came face to face at the event. According to Gambian Talents Promotion reporter Pa Ousman Joof who was present, there were blows between the two.

Pata refused to talk to Joof but he wrote on Monday: “’I heard Pata attacked him’, ‘How can you fight someone for a Politician’ etc. Y’all wasn’t there, dawg.

“I’m a man first. I’m silly but not stupid. NOBODY is getting a smile for a response when you insult/disrespect my parents. In my face or otherwise. I keep our engagement to you, you are NOT taking it to my parents.

“The law, just like the cops, are human too. They understand I’m man, and a man has that natural self-defense instinct.”

Supporters of former President Yahya Jammeh on Monday marched to the Ministry of Justice and handed a petition letter to the Minister of Justice for him to give to President Adama Barrow.

“Our petition is geared towards the processes, in the appointments, and the process throughout the course of the TRRC. We are of the opinion that the process had been compromised very seriously,” APRC interim leader Fabakary Tombong Jatta told reporters in Banjul.

He added: “We had said earlier, at the onset, even when our doubting Thomases said that ‘so far the Janneh Commission could not put down the APRC, the TRRC would be the killer blow’. That notwithstanding, we said very clearly we are not opposed to any TRRC to investigate into the alleged activities of our government.

“We believe we were in government for 22 years and it’s people’s right to find out some of the alleged allegations. What we wanted and what we had cried for was that it should be done honestly, transparently and for the greater interest of the Gambian people. I am sure most of you will agree with me that from the onset, the whole process of the TRRC has been compromised.”

APRC’s latest strategy to discredit the TRRC has to do with people who served on the commission including its chairman Dr Lamin J Sise.

Tombong Jatta said: “Number 1 of the whole issue is we have the 1997 constitution that guides any operations of government. It’s the supreme law of the land, it cannot be mortgaged, it cannot be compromised, it’s not owned by individuals or even the custodians. Therefore, the appointment of Dr Lamin Sise for us is illegal. If you refer to section 201 of the 1997 constitution, it made it clear who can be appointed into a commission of inquiry and who should chair a commission of inquiry, whether it’s a one-man commission or more than two people.

“And from all our investigation and information, Dr Lamin Sise with all his expertise and experience, is not qualified among many qualified people to take up that responsibility. It [Section 201] provides that a person shall not be appointed chairperson of a commission of inquiry unless; (a) he or she has been a judge of a superior court whether in The Gambia or outside; (b) he or she is qualified to be appointed a judge of the superior court.“

He said elsewhere: “We have also observed that some people who are already convicted in the issue, like the vice chairperson whose daughter we are all aware was implicated in the 30th December attempted coup. You have the mother to sit and determine the truth about that government when we have a lot of independent-minded qualified Gambians who are not compromised in any form.

“The other side we queried about is the fact that we are aware that Alagie Saidy-Barrow who was part of the December 30th, 2014 attempted coup in this country, fled and went to the United States. In America, he was held, tried and convicted for his role in the December attempted coup. Upon becoming into force of the coalition government, we all witnessed his return to The Gambia with a red-carpet welcome. He was taken as the lead investigator in the TRRC. He had used the gun and he failed and you’re giving him the weapon of the pen to try his luck again. Are we short of intellectual, qualified personnel who are not compromised, who could have done that job to at least give the commission a beautiful outlook? You expect us to believe that that person would honestly give justice to the whole process?

“We are also aware that the executive secretary of the TRRC, Baba Galleh Jallow, who throughout his professional journalistic and academic career, has posed himself as one of the greatest critics of our party and our government. And it is known that he is a friend to Alagie Barrow and even they lived together just by the time of the December coup in United States of America. The man himself who had described the December attempted coup to the American Revolution of 1865. It’s the sama Baba Galleh whom if you remember went to the extent of giving threats to government, demanding for the full implementation of their report or risk facing [] consequences.

“We also witnessed the issue of Captain Yankuba Touray. He went to the TRRC, we all saw it. He relied on the provisions of the 1997 constitution giving him immunity. He was forced to speak, he said he is not speaking within that period. The commission decided to send him to the Attorney General for contempt of the commission. That charge was thrown out. But we also heard the then attorney general saying that they would teach him a lesson. He came and he was prosecuted for murder of former minister Ousman Koro Ceesay. Some junta members, some other people in the commission had confessed for their actions. Why should Yankuba alone be prosecuted before the report of the TRRC is out two years ago?”

Mayor of Kanifing Municipality Talib Ahmed Bensouda alleged on Monday the chief executive officer of Kanifing Municipal Council illegally acquired a loan in the name of 37 staff and used the money to buy a property.

Freedom newspaper has in past days been writing about Sainabou Martin Sonko that she stole money of up to seven million dalasis.

But KM Mayor Talib Bensouda said on Monday: “Some time in June of this year, my office intercepted financial transactions initiated and entered into by Mrs Sonko. Following investigations with the related banks and parties it discovered that Mrs Sonko entered into illegal transactions without lawful authority to the tune of 12 million dalasis. These illegal transactions were completed with the co-signature of the director of finance Dr Alieu Keita.

“It was discovered that Mrs Sonko acquired a bank loan in the name of the staff welfare association, on behalf of 37 staff without their knowledge or consent. She used these funds to acquire a property which we believe to have been grossly over-valued and she forged council documentation and approvals to obtain a guaranty purportedly from KMC to secure the loans.

“Through our swift intervention, we were able to freeze the accounts in question and recover approximately 7.6 million dalasis. Our swift action and our zero tolerance to graft and corruption protected the public coffers of the council from what would have otherwise been a serious financial loss.

“The actions of Mrs Sonko are very serious and we believe they are criminal in nature, ranging from fraud, tax evasion and theft. Mrs Sonko was confronted in a directors’ meeting of 12th July 2021 wherein she confessed to her actions and apologized to the management team of KMC. Although she has since recanted her position, we have proceeded to complete the investigations and table the matter before the council.

“The council has today resolved to do the following; we have requested that the local government service commission summarily dismiss Mrs Sonko and the director of finance; we have also resolved to report the matter to the Gambia Police Force for an investigation; we have also resolved to place Mrs Sonko and the director of finance on indefinite leave pending the results of the investigations and the decision of the local government service commission.”

Mrs Martin-Sonko did not pick calls by The Fatu Network for comment. She is also yet to respond to a text message for comment.

The Kanifing Municipal Council has quickly installed Mrs Binta Janneh Jallow as the new deputy mayor of Kanifing Municipality following the sudden resignation of Pa Musa Bah. Mrs Jallow is the first woman to serve in the role of deputy mayor of KM.

According to KM Mayor Talib Bensouda, Mrs Jallow’s appointed came at a meeting of KM councilors on Monday.

Mrs Jallow is the councilor of Bakau New Town, Fajara.

UDP leader Ousainou Darboe has threatened to open the eyes of any NPP supporter in Basse who treats a UDP supporter with contempt.

Speaking at a huge rally in Bakadaji over the weekend, Mr Darboe said: “I know Basse well in terms of politics. The arrogance showed by those who support the government is something I know. But we were all in UDP and we all know each other.

“Those who were in UDP and are no longer with us and say they are with the government, be careful. You should know nobody treats UDP with contempt and go scot-free. I want to advise UDP supporters to respect the law. It’s because of that anyone who disrespects us is put in his place.

“If you continue respecting the law, anyone who says he is in the president’s party and wants to treat a UDP supporter with contempt here in Basse will see it. Because they know me well, they know who I am.

“To make you stand and open out your eyes under the sun is something they know I do and that’s what I am going to do to them. So therefore, respect the law and do not allow to be dragged into violence.”

A man accused of attempting to stab Mali’s interim President Assimi Goita last week has died in hospital while in the custody of security services, the government said in a statement on Sunday.

Goita, a special forces colonel who orchestrated two coups in the last year, escaped unharmed after the assailant tried to stab him during prayers at a mosque in the capital Bamako on Tuesday.

Security agents threw a man into the back of a military pickup truck, video obtained by Reuters showed, as Goita was ringed by bodyguards.

“During the investigations … his state of health deteriorated,” the statement said. He was taken to hospital, where he died, it said.

An investigation is underway to determine the cause of death.

Mali, the theatre of French-supported operations against al Qaeda and Islamic State-linked insurgents for a decade, was thrown into political turmoil after a military junta led by Goita toppled President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita in August 2020.

Goita served as vice-president to transitional leader Bah Ndaw until the latter’s ouster in May. (Reuters)

A member of the National People’s Party Kumba Touray in Jokadu has dismissed claims by GDC she joined the party.

GDC’s national youth president MC Cham Jnr claimed Sunday Touray joined GDC after meeting with an official of the party Abdoulie Jallow.

But a crying Kumba Touray told The Fatu Network on Monday the ‘GDC people’ wronged her as they deceived her.

She explained: “He came to offer his respects on the passing of my husband’s brother. He found me at the garden and told me Mamma [Kandeh] sent him. He said my garden was looking amazing but went on to say Mamma has done a lot for Jokadu but Kerr Selleh never benefitted.

“This was when he said we should take a photo and I was thinking this is just a photo they wanted for their own private keep. Imagine how I was dressed. Do you think I would dress that way and take a picture if I am joining a party? Besides, we do not have time for politics. We are bereaved.”

NPP deputy spokesman Seedy Njie reacting to the issue said: “It is another ploy by GDC doing what they are know for at best: politics of deception and falsehood. I repeat, no sane person will ever moved from NPP to GDC.

“The conduct of MC Cham Jr and GDC in this instance is a violation of Kumba Touray’s inherent rights. They requested a photo and she granted them in her garden only to fabricate against the hard working and innocent woman of defection. This is sad. The best option for GDC is to come forward and support NPP’s Presidential candidate in the December 4th Election. Kumba Touray is more NPP today then ever before.”

UDP’s Pata PJ Saidykhan and NPP’s Baba Jah have been pulled apart after tempers flared between the two political rivals on Sunday.

Gambians in the United States have been reuniting in Washington amid the US July 4 celebrations.

According to Pa Ousman Joof, reporting for Gambian Talents Promotion, there were blows between the two men. In Joof’s coverage of the incident, Saidykhan would not speak on what happened between him and Baba Jah.

While The Fatu Network could not immediately ascertain what transpired between the two, Baba Jah has angered UDP supporters since his comments against UDP leader Darboe on Tonya Kesso.

In Joof’s coverage, Baba Jah was later seen coming with police who then led Pata away with Jah also walking with them. He too refused to answer questions from Joof.

By Xinhua

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) said this past Friday that 113 irregular West African migrants were repatriated from Algeria this week.

The IOM said in a statement the 113 migrants were mainly from Gambia, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Senegal, including 5 women, 87 men and 21 children, and they were repatriated from Algeria to their home countries through two special flights.

“Thanks to a joint and coordinated effort, immigrants were able to return home before the Eid al-Adha and spend the holidays with their families,” IOM said.

Prior to departure, IOM said the returnees underwent health checks and got tested for COVID-19.

The organization added it also provided them with pre-departure counseling services, protection screening and transportation assistance.

“IOM offered targeted assistance to migrants with specific situations of vulnerability such as unaccompanied migrant children, victims of trafficking, and immigrants with medical conditions,” the IOM said.

The IOM runs the Voluntary Humanitarian Return program, which arranges the return of illegal immigrants stranded in Libya and Algeria to their homeland.

Since the start of the COVID-19, IOM has helped over 1,500 migrants return to their home countries from Algeria securely, according to the statement.

Alieu Sowe on Sunday emerged as presidential candidate of Gambia Action Party more than a year of firing former army general Lamin Bojang.

Mr Sowe, 46, will lead GAP into the December presidential election. But who is Sowe?

According to a biography shared with The Fatu Network, Mr Sowe was born on the 10th of October 1974 in Cheedi Wolof, Upper Baddibu, North Bank Region.  He attended Minteh Kunda Primary School and Farafenni Senior Secondary School from 1989 to 1993. In 1996, he was enrolled in paramilitary training course at the Guards Training School at Bakau. He studied Computer Science and upgraded his skills through diversity at Bahai Centre; also studied criminal investigation through Gambia Police Force Prosecution Department in 2004. He later studied International Relations and Diplomacy at the Management Development Institute.

Career-wise, Mr Sowe worked as a private soldier from 1995 to 2006 and extended his military career to Lance Corporal from 2006 to 2009. He became Corporal in 2009 and Staff Sergeant in 2012. In 2015, he became a Captain from 2015 and then a Major in 2016.

He was Commanding Officer of Defense Platoon 2017 to 2018 and General Manager of the entire Kanilai family group from 2014 to 2017.

Supporters of former President Yahya Jammeh will march on Monday in Banjul, a press release by APRC on Sunday said.

The ‘peaceful’ march will be between the Arch at the mouth of Banjul to the Ministry of Justice.

A top APRC official told The Fatu Network the march is about the TRRC recommendations.

APRC’s press release said the party will hand over a petition to the minister of justice for onward delivery to President Adama Barrow.