Police have announced the passing on Sunday of an assistant superintendent of police, Alieu Sanneh.

Police said Sanneh died on Sunday in Busura.

Police said in a statement: “The Inspector General of Police, the entire management and staff of the Gambia Police Force, regret to announce the death of their colleague and brother Assistant Superintendent of Police Alieu Sanneh Station Officer at Serrekunda Mobile Traffic Annex who passed away today Sunday 18th July, 2021 at  Busura Village WCR.

“This sad news is extended to The President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed and Security Services, His Excellency Mr Adama Barrow, Vice President, Her Excellency Dr. Isatou Touray, the Minister of Interior Hon. Yankuba JN Sonko, Service Chiefs, friends and relatives in the Gambia and abroad.”

By DailyMail

Health Secretary Sajid Javid has tested positive for Covid despite having had both vaccinations, he revealed today.

The 51-year-old Tweeted at 1.33pm: ‘This morning I tested positive for Covid. I’m waiting for my PCR result, but thankfully I have had my jabs and symptoms are mild.

‘Please make sure you come forward for your vaccine if you haven’t already.’

Mr Javid had his first Oxford-AstraZeneca jab on March 17 and was given a follow up dose on May 16.

Scientists have always said vaccines are not 100 per cent effective at preventing Covid transmission — the main purpose of jabs is to reduce severe illness and prevent death.

He tested positive for the virus on a rapid lateral flow test and is waiting for a result on the more accurate PCR test.

Famous comedian Baba Jah has said he has escaped a drive-by shooting in the United States.

Mr Jah posted a 59-second video on his Bah Ebou Facebook page Saturday where he is seen showing a bullet and a bullet hole in his car.

In the video, Mr Jah said he doesn’t know who were behind the act. He also in the video displayed his amulets saying he always wear them in America.

Ebrima Sorie Bah who championed the campaign for President Adama Barrow to disregard calls for him to step down after three years has confirmed withdrawing his support for the president.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with The Fatu Network, the former Gambia for Five Years and Peace-building secretary general said he has now seen the president’s true colours.

“For now, I have seen his true colours. Yes of course [I regret it]… For having been in the party for the past one year, having been in the party, in the political council,” he said.

According to Mr Bah, the president has lost control of the government and he cannot imagine him winning the December election.

Mr Sorie Bah in January last year broke down in tears as he led thousands of Gambians who called on President Adama Barrow not to succumb to pressure from Three Years Jotna to resign according to a three years deal he made with coalition 2016 leaders.

“I cried because I could see the country on the brink of conflict,” Mr Bah said. He however said he did not regret asking the president to continue and serve for five years.

Gambia Action Party has called on President Adama Barrow to rescind its one-day public holiday declaration.

In a statement, the Musa Ousainou Yali Batchilly-led party said: “From the very beginning of Gambia Action Party, we promise to respect the plight of the people and render honest and sincere advices to the government of the day for the best interest of the nation. We are calling on the President to revisit the declaration of making only Tuesday as a public holiday in observance of Tobaski feast.

“The Gambia as a nation has over eighty percent of Muslim population and we urge the Government to make Monday half working day and accord the Public and Civil Servants who may want to travel to the inland country to spend time with their families, Tuesday and Wednesday as public holidays and work resumes on Thursday.

“We must be conscious of the fact that our nation at this juncture is in dare need of prayers as we approach elections campaign full of uncertainties due to security threats. Our collective efforts and responsibilities must be geared towards nurturing national peace and stability. We are calling on all the citizens regardless of political beliefs to preach peace and unity to ensure election free from violence and its related issues.

“Our faith has been tested on previous occasions during an unprecedented period that engulfed the nation with fear and worrisome, but we managed and proved to the world that our strength rest on nationalism, togetherness and tolerance. Our time arrive to maintain similar features that will shape our destiny as a nation through hard work, unity and sincerity.”

Police have issued a statement over the return of the mandatory wearing of face mask set to begin on Saturday.

In a statement Friday, police said: “Following the recent surge in the number of positive COVID-19 cases in the country, the general public is hereby informed that the Gambia Police Force will intensify the enforcement of the Compulsory Facemask Wearing Regulations effective tomorrow Saturday 17th July 2021.

“In this regard, all individuals are advised to wear a  facemask before accessing public places such as Markets, Public transports , Public roads, Banks , Offices and other service areas.

“The public is further urged to support Law Enforcement Officers and the Ministry of Health in the fight against the spread of the virus by strictly adhering to the compulsory wearing of facemask,   maintain social distancing and follow health guidelines to prevent the spread of the virus. The cooperation and support of the public is highly solicited.”

A member pro-President Barrow movement seeking to return President Adama Barrow to State House in the December election has called on the president to appoint a new cabinet. Sidia Bayo stated this while parleying with reporters. Watch video.

Gunjur’s Sheikh Ismaila Manjang died on Friday, his family has announced. He was 76.

The cleric was a respected religious leader who was fearless in spreading the word of God.

Sheikh Sulaiman Danjo has extensively written on the top cleric in his book, as translated by Basidia M Drammeh.

Biography of Sheikh Ismaila Manjang

By Sheikh Sulaiman Danjo – translated by Basidia M Drammeh

He is the great educator, Imam Ismailaa bin Sheikh Muhammad Al-Amin known as “Arafang Malang Manjang” Ibn Muhammed Lamin Manjang ibn Abu Bakr Mnajang famously known as “Manjang

Fing”. Sheikh Manjang is a resident of Gunjur, but originally hails from Suluko- May God protect him. He is a graduate of Umm Al-Qura University in Makkah Al-Mukarramah and principal of the Khaled Bin Al-Waleed Islamic School in Kombo Gunjur.

Birth and upbringing:

Sheikh Ismaila Manjang was born on June 12, 1945, in Gunjur in Kombo South. He grew up in the custody of his father, Sheikh Muhammad Lamin Manjang, known as “Arafang Malang Manjang” – May God have mercy on him. His older brother is Sheikh Noha Manjang, the Muezzin of the Gunjur Mosque. May God protect him.

As for his great-grandfather, he is the sheikh Foday Abu Bakr Manjang Fing – May God have mercy on him), who had historical encounters with the kings of Brikama, as well as the colonists. The family is originally from the village of Seuluko in Guinea-Bissau. The Manjang family was famous for bravery and possessed high skills in hunting, and the descendants were skilled and experienced in war machines.

His quest for knowledge in traditional learning circles:

In the early fifties, Sheikh Ismaila began his educational career in the traditional learning circles of Gunjur, starting with the Sheikh Omar Jammeh’s learning circle, known as “Fajerreh Jammeh,” may God have mercy on him. The latter’s learning circle was in Jammeh Kunda. Sheikh Ismaila Manjang spent nearly three years under the tutelage of Jammeh, where he learned Arabic alphabets.

Then he turned to the learning circle of Sheikh Muhammed Lamin Bojang, known as “Arafang Malang Bojang,” may God have mercy on him. The traditional learning circle known as Majlis was on the southern side of the Grand Mosque, where the house of “Sandang Bojang” is located. He stayed there for a short period.

In the mid-fifties, Sheikh Ismaila Manjang turned to the learning circle of Sheikh Abu Bakr Jabang, known as “Arafang Demba Jabang,” may God have mercy on him where he spent a long period during which he mastered the Arabic alphabet in the traditional method known,  as (the Baysimim method).  In the same learning circle, he read the Qur’an until he completed it in the conventional manner, which enables the student to read the Quran without focusing on memorization abstractly. Then he proceeded to study Shari’a sciences in accordance with the Maliki school.

Sheikh Ismaila Manjang used to help his sheikh in educating younger students, such as Sheikh Muhammad Al-Amin Touray, Sheikh Dembo Kurus Touray, may God have mercy on him, and others.

 Transition to regular schools:

In the early sixties, one of the associates of Sheikh Hattab Bojang opened an Arab school in Gunjur Barrow Kunda, specifically in the house of Kejara Barrow, who is Sheikh Kawsu Omar Jatta, where he taught children the Arabic language. When Sheikh Ismaila Bojang heard about it, he moved in. This coincided with the opening of Arabic school in Latrikunda Jaman by Sheikh Hattab Bojang, specifically in the home of his friend Sheikh Dodou Faal, may God have mercy on them, where he taught children,  so when the youth of Gunjur heard that one of the sons of Gunjur opened a regular Islamic school in Latrikunda Jaman, they went to him and insisted on relocating the school in Gunjur. The Sheikh yielded, with the school being consequently relocated to Gunjur, his hometown. This was the underlying factor behind the relocation of the school from Latrikunda Jaman to Gunjur.

About seventeen years ago, and since 1962. Sheikh Ismaila Manjang was one of the first students enrolled in Sheikh Hattab Bojang’s school in that year, at most outstanding. They were about seventeen.  Since 1962, Sheikh Ismaila began to accompany Sheikh Hattab Bojang constantly and remained attached to him until his death in 1984, except for travel and other essentials. Until he became a shadow of the sheikh, may God have mercy on him. In 1962, Sheikh Hattab moved his school to his hometown of Gunjur and resumed teaching in a small house that belonged to one Mr. “Fasaikou Bojang, Abdul Wahab Bojang’s father, may God have mercy on them., He was the only young man who belonged to the “Karaba” area – which supported the then (PPP) ruling party. Karaba area was involved in a longstanding political rivalry and tribal tension with “Karanding” – the pro-opposition (UP) party. Karanding was the area that Sheik Hattab Bojang, may God have mercy on him, belonged to. Certain people from the “Karaba” area spew out enmity simply because he was from “Karanding.” As for Sheikh Ismaila Manjang, despite being from the Karaba area, he was not affected by these political conflicts and tribal strife.

Between 1976 and 1977, his mentor, Sheikh Hattab Sharif Bojang, appointed him as a teacher in the Kombo Sanyang public primary school, at the age of 31, to succeed Sheikh Dembo Kurus a scholarship in Kuwait in the 1976.

In 1977, Sheikh Ismaila Manjang participated in the training course supervised by Sheikh Hattab Bojang in coordination with Saudi universities to qualify teachers in public schools. After the training course, he was transferred from Sanyang Primary School to Gunjur Primary School.

 Among the students who participated in this training course were Sheikh Essa Darboe, Sheikh Muhammad Al-Amin Touray, Dr. Mbai Kebba Kah, Imam Baba Leigh, Sheikh Tijan Kah, Sheikh Sidya Ceesay, and Imam Ratib Sheikh Ali Moaz Kah, Sheikh Omar Bun Jeng, Sheikh Kawsu Jatta, Sheikh Bala Musa Fatty, and others.

Sheikh Ismaila Manjang has benefited from Sheikh Hattab Bojang in many aspects, for example:

On the academic side: When Sheikh Hattab sat to explain the Qur’an in Janneh Kunda, Sheikh Ismaila was among those who attended this learning circle and read the exegesis of the entire Quran to Sheikh Hattab Bojang. Sheikh Hattab used to refer to several books of Tafseer in his explanation. However, Tafseer Ibn Kathir was his primary reference, along with the Tafseer Al-Baghawi and Jalalain, may God have mercy on him.

Years later, the Tafseer learning circle was transferred to the main mosque, but that did not continue, so it stopped.

As a result, the Majlis was moved to Sheikh Hattab’s house in “Bojang Kunda.”  The Sheikh started giving lessons in various fields, such as hadith, jurisprudence, among others. The Sheikh’s Tafseer learning circles helped enable Sheikh Ismaila Manjang to master Tafseer. In the regular school, Manjang was one of the outstanding students who excelled in language, jurisprudence, history, and so on, so when Sheikh Hattab opened an Islamic school in the border village of Katong in 1964, He chose four of his distinguished students to teach there, including Sheikh Ismaila.

Due to his closeness to the Sheikh, his manners resembled those of his mentor, Sheikh Hattab Bojang. May God have an understanding on him, as evidenced by his frankness and lack of flattery, honesty, honesty and humility, in addition to his eagerness to volunteer work and embrace of students, especially those who came from outside the Gambia, and other things that I cannot mention here. 2- The ethical side: Sheikh Ismaila has been involved in his Sheikh’s life for a long time, since 1962, until he died in

1984. He never stayed away from him except when the Sheikh travelled outside the country or otherwise. Despite his proximity to the Sheikh, he did not receive a scholarship to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to continue his studies until late, after the death of Sheikh Hattab. May God have mercy on him.

His enrollment in Umm Al-Qura University

In 1983, Sheikh Hattab travelled to Saudi Arabia. He presented papers by many students to Saudi universities; among these students were Sheikh Ismaila Manjang, Sheikh Kawsu Jarju from Brikama, Sheikh Ahmed Jako, Sheikh Musa Jaiteh from Katong, Sheikh Ibrahim Touray, and others.

In 1984, before the admission results were announced, the Gambia was shocked by the death of one of its pillars, Sheikh Hattab Sharif Bojang! May God have mercy on him and make the highest Paradise of Heaven his resting place.

In 1985, following the death of Sheikh Hattab Bojang (may God have mercy on him),  the names of those admitted to Umm Al-Qura University were announced; amongst those admitted were Sheikh Ismaila Manjang, Sheikh Ebrahim Touray, Sheikh Musa Jaiteh, Sheikh, Ahmed Jako, and Sheikh Kawsu Jarju. Thus, Sheikh Ismaila Manjang joined Umm Al-Qura University, where he continued his studies until he graduated in 1988.  During his stay in Makkah Al-Mukarramah, he participated in many training courses and learning circles in the Great Mosque of Mecca.

His educational efforts:

After Sheikh Ismaila Manjang graduated from Umm Al-Qura University, he returned to The Gambia. Sheikh Muhammad Al-Amin Touray and Sheikh Essa Darboe, who had graduated before him at the Islamic University in Madinah, had already taken over the management of Sheikh Hattab Bojang’s educational projects, renaming the Sheikh Hattab School in Gunjur as Khalid Bin Al Waleed Islamic School.

When Sheikh Ismaila Manjang returned to The Gambia, he joined them and worked with them as a team. When they set out to restore several schools, Sheikh Ismaila was appointed as principal of the

Khaled Ibn Al-Waleed Islamic School in Gunjur. At the same time, Sheikh Essa Darboe became Principal of the Solidarity Center for Islamic Studies in Serrekunda, and Sheikh Muhammad Al-Amin Touray became head of the Islamic Solidarity Association for West Africa. From 1988 to the present day, Sheikh Ismaila Manjang has continued to serve as the principal of the Khaled Ibn Al-Waleed Islamic School in Gunjur. In addition to his administrative work, he teaches Tafseer and other subjects in the school and provides other classes at the Solidarity Center for Islamic Studies in Serrekunda. In addition to these duties, he also offers lessons in his mosque about Tafseer and hadith, addressing questions raised by the students after these lessons.

His Da’awah efforts:

Sheikh Ismaila Manjang is one of the leading preachers in the country, as shown by his weekly Radio Gambia program broadcast every Friday in which he interprets the Quran. He is also one of the founders of the famous Islamic radio program ‘Islamic Forum,’ which he used to present with Sheikh Omar Bun Jeng, Sheikh Muhammad Al-Amin Janneh and Sheikh Sidya Ceesay (may God have mercy on them).

Sheikh Ismaila is also one of the clerics who serves as a substitute for the imam Ratib of the mosque during the five daily prayers when the usual imam is unavailable and has a mosque in his compound where he leads Friday prayers. He began his clerical career under his mentor Sheikh Hattab Bojang before working with Sheikh Omar Bun Jeng and occasionally with Sheikh Muhammad Al-Amin Touray. At other times he delivers sermons alone. His Da’awah is focused chiefly on correcting beliefs, fine-tuning morals, calling for unity, and similar issues.

His charitable projects:

During his study at Umm Al-Qura University in Makkah Al-Mukarramah, an amicable relationship has developed between Sheikh Ismaila Manjang and some Saudi students, including Sheikh Abdul-Samad Al-Bukhari, Sheikh Abdullah Al-Asiri and others, and they were his best friends at the university. This relationship resulted in numerous benefits for many Gambian cities and villages, as he built more than ten mosques in the Gambia.

His ordeal:

God Almighty said: “And We will surely test you until We make evident those who strive among you [for the cause of Allah] and the patient, and We will test your affairs.”

He also said: “And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits but give good tidings to the patient.”

The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) was asked: “O Messenger of Allah, which people are most severely tested?” He replied: “The Prophets, then the next best and the next best. A person is tested according to his religious commitment. If he is steadfast in his religious commitment, he will be tested more severely, and if he is frail in his religious commitment, his test will be according to his commitment. Trials will continue to afflict a person until they leave him walking on the earth with no sin on him.”

Sheikh Ismaila was well-known for clarifying his approach in Da’awah, his keen desire to follow the Sunnah, and his condemnation of heresies and superstitions. His Da’awah was characterised by wisdom and sound advice, in addition to frankness and fearlessness.  However, he was not spared by the cunning of his detractors and enemies.

Sheikh Ismaila Manjang, like other reformists who refuse to tolerate evil, has been subjected to many trials by his enemies, the most famous of which were his arrests on two occasions during the reign of former Gambian President Yahya Jammeh (may God forgive him).

First: In 1996, two candidates ran for Parliament in the Kombo Constituency, where Gunjur is located. One of the candidates was Mr. Kebba Barrow, a Muslim who was then running for the United Democratic Party (UDP) and currently the majority leader in Parliament. The other candidate was Mr. Paul Mendy, a Christian and the local candidate for the ruling party candidate. That year’s parliamentary elections ended with Mendy winning the parliamentary seat for the ruling party, defeating the opposition party candidate, Barrow.

On the day of the election, Sheikh Ismaila led Maghreb prayers in the mosque, delivering a sermon following the completion of the prayer in which he reassured the congregation, and urged them to be patient, referring to the hadith of the Messenger of God (may God’s prayers and peace be upon him), which states: ‘How wonderful is the case of a believer; there is good for him in everything, and this applies only to a believer. If prosperity attends him, he expresses gratitude to Allah, which is good for him; if adversity befalls him, he endures it patiently and is better for him.  Sheikh Ismaila added, “This is a trial from God, so take it in good faith, as long as you have exerted your efforts, remain patent and be content with God’s fate and destiny.”

After dinner, a group of police officers turned up to question him about the sermon when he returned home. Sheikh Ismaila explained that he was explaining the stance of a believer to the mosque congregation to reassure them. The next day, security operatives returned to his home, where they found him laying out the prayer mats in the mosque and arrested him on the orders of the then Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Sankung Badjie. The sheikh was taken to the Brikama Police Station, where he was detained overnight and was subsequently released the following day after his innocence was established.

The second occasion: In 2011, a Da’awah lecture was held in Gunjur, with Sheikh Omar Faba Gitteh (may God protect him)  as the Guest speaker.  Sheikh Ismaila Manjang was a commentator since he is one of the city’s prominent leadership figures and dignitaries. In his speech at the event, Sheikh Ismaila Manjang condemned those who, according to the information given to him by his mentor, Sheikh Hattab Bojang, had been visiting heretical shrines on the coast of Gunjur and elsewhere. Because of that speech, Sheikh Ismaila’s enemies accused him of targeting the Head of State in his condemnation because the latter had visited the shrines in question, asserting that this indicated Sheikh Ismaila’s message was politically motivated. He was subsequently arrested again and remained in detention for more than a week, during which he was subjected to severe harassment. He was, however, released after being found innocent.

The persecution inflicted on Sheikh Ismaila is a carbon copy that befell his mentor Sheikh Hattab Bojang with the government due to politically and tribally motivated charges. Neither cleric condemned the Head of State in particular, with both simply delivering sermons which their enemies chose to misrepresent as condemnation and sedition against the Head of State; ultimately, however, God exonerated them, proving their innocence and saving them from the machinations of evil people.

May Allah have mercy on his soul.

President Adama Barrow has declared next Tuesday a public holiday over this year’s Eidhul Adha festival.

State House in a statement Friday said: “His Excellency President Adama Barrow, acting under section 76 (1) of the Constitution (1997), is pleased to declare Tuesday 20th July 2021, a public holiday throughout The Gambia, in observance of the Muslim Feast of Eid-ul-Adha.

“On behalf of the government and the First Family, President Barrow wishes all Muslims in the Gambia and worldwide a blessed Eid. He prays for peace and tranquility in the country and the world over and asks that people continue to wear face masks to protect themselves and family members from the Coronavirus.”

The Gambia Football Federation has been brutally savaged after comments by the federation certain groups and individuals are planning to ‘hijack’ the recent success of The Scorpions for commercial and personal gains without prior written or verbal consent from Football House.

“An example is an advertisement posted on social media by The Bantaba Group where they claimed to be making a three-part documentary series in chronicling the Scorpions journey that culminated with the historic AFCON qualification,” the federation said in a statement on Thursday.

The federation shockingly said elsewhere: “In this regard, the GFF would like to remind the general public that even though we’re opened to partnerships, in the interest of football development, we wouldn’t accept any group or individual to use our success for their personal or commercial gains. We have already consulted our lawyers on the matter.

“Thus, we’re advised The Bantaba Group strongly, and any other group or individual planning to do so, to desist from with immediate effect or else they will have to face the consequences.”

The statement quickly attracted reaction from Gambians online, eliciting over 100 reactions from people but all negative.

Muhammed Touray reacted: “This post is rubbish …. “OUR” success …. Like the people in those groups aren’t Gambian. If you aren’t innovative enough , dont stop the people or groups who are thinking and trying to add value … This post is absolute rubbish.”

Coach Pasamba Jow said: “As a supporter of The Gambia Football Federation, I am shocked at this overreach. Nobody needs permission from any entity, including the GFF to make a documentary. The National team does not belong to the GFF, it belongs to all Gambians. The only thing that the GFF can possibly do is to refuse to participate in the documentary, but it has no legal standing to deny anyone from doing a documentary on the scorpions.”

Kemo Cham commented: “This must be a fake site. It can’t be the official GFF page, because I expect an entity like that to know better. Whoever told you that anyone needs anyone’s consent to do a documentary on the national team. You may have right not to cooperate with them, but you can’t prevent them from doing it. If your lawyers told you otherwise they just want to eating your money for nothing. Be serious and do serious things.”

Police officer Lisa Colley told the high court in Bundung on Friday she recommended a DNA test after her investigation into claims Bubacarr Keita raped his former wife’s 15-year-old.

The detective corporal wrapped up her testimony on Friday by stating she recommended a DNA test ‘going by the critical or sensitive nature of this matter’.

Colley had earlier on testified she and her colleagues swung into action after a complaint was in late 2019 laid against Mr Keita by the complainant that the businessman raped her. They visited Mr Keita’s house at Tabokoto but also accompanied the complainant her sister (Keita’s former wife) to the hospital. Colley later prepared a report.

On Friday, Colley said while wrapping up her testimony in the case: “Going by the critical or the sensitive nature of this matter, I therefore recommended for a DNA test to know the actual father of the child.

“After the report being done, the file with the report attached was sent to our OC in Bundung under the gender and child welfare unit. From there, I did not know anything about the case until when I was called to some time [ago] to come and give evidence as a witness.”

Lamin Camara, defending Mr Keita, said he had no question for Colley when asked by the judge to go ahead and quiz her.

Mr Keita is standing trial for allegedly raping his former wife’s 15-year-old sister. He denies the charge.

The government said on Thursday the order on compulsory wearing of face mask will return on Saturday amid a rapid surge in Covid cases.

In a statement by government spokesperson Ebrima Sankareh, the resumption of the order is as a result of the “worrisome trajectory of the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country”.

The statement said: “…The Government of The Gambia hereby reminds the public of the Order by the Minister of Health on social distancing and compulsory wearing of face masks effective the 8thMarch 2021. The Regulation remains valid and shall be reinforced as of this Saturday 17th July 2021.

“All drivers of motor vehicles and operators of ferries, boats or vessels shall ensure that all passengers wear face masks before boarding their vehicles, ferries, boats or vessels.  All person intending to travel across The River Gambia and other navigable water bodies must wear facemasks from the crossing points onwards.

“All owners or managers of public places or private premises and shops that are accessible to the public shall ensure that persons entering such premises wear face masks.

“Area Councils and Municipal Authorities shall ensure that persons entering markets in their respective localities wear face masks.

“Exceptions to this Regulation: children under the age of two (2) years, those who cannot independently put on or remove a facemask; persons with medical conditions that make it difficult to wear face masks and persons who are hearing impaired or need visibility of the mouth for essential communication are exempted from wearing face masks.

“The police shall enforce the social distancing and compulsory wearing of face masks across all regions of The Gambia and those who violate this Order are liable to pay a fine of one thousand (D1000) Gambian Dalasis.”

Justice Ebrima Jaiteh made a huge judgment on Wednesday when he convicted and sentenced former AFPRC junta topshot Yankuba Touray to death for killing Ousman Koro Ceesay. His name has since on Wednesday been on the lip of many Gambians.

The liberal and progressive-minded justice also pulled off a first by becoming the first Gambian justice to allow his court proceeding to be broadcast live. But who is Justice Jaiteh? The Fatu Network has been digging into his resume.

Justice Jaiteh attended Kuntaur Fulla Kunda primary school from 1977 to 1978. From 1978 to 1984, he studied at Brikama Primary School – and then at Gunjur secondary technical school where he spent four years from 1984. He then studied at Muslim High School from 1989 to 1991. From 1991, he was appointed as an unqualified teacher at Gunjur Secondary Technical School. He spent two years teaching in that school.

He joined the Gambia college in 1993 through to 1995 to do the higher teacher certificate course. From 1995, he taught in a number of schools among them Brikama secondary technical school, Kafuta Junior Secondary School and Albreda Junior Secondary School.

In 1995, he enrolled with St Mary’s University in Canada who were running an extension program in The Gambia and he was part of the first batch of students admitted into that university. He graduated with a double major in geography and international development studies with a minor in English Literature. He then had a short stint with the MRC as a consultant. Justice Jaiteh then returned to the classroom, teaching in Ndow’s Comprehensive Senior Secondary School and at Jamisa Junior Secondary School. Jaiteh then travelled abroad and then returned to the country to continue teaching.

In 2005, he went to the UK and enrolled at the University of Sussex to study law. He graduated with a graduate diploma in law in 2007. From 2007 to 2008, he did his Bar BPP Law School in London and graduated as a barrister at law. He came back to The Gambia in 2010 and he was called and enrolled to the Gambian Bar. Between 2010 and 2011, Justice Jaiteh worked at the Attorney General’s Chambers as a state counsel and between 2011 and 2012, he was lecturer at the Gambia Law School. He then went to Kenya where he worked with the World Bank as a consultant. He spent three years in Kenya and returned to the country at the end of 2014. Justice Jaiteh then became a magistrate in 2015. After having his own fair share of former President Jammeh’s regime, Justice Jaiteh stopped working as a magistrate to become a private legal practitioner. He was elevated to high court judge after the change of government in 2016.

Police have issued a statement that certain sand dealers and truckers are depositing sand and gravel around the Brufut Roundabout (Turntable) and around the Sukuta -Jabang traffic light junction or other diverse areas along the roads and highways thereby causing obstructions.

“In this regard, all such sand dealers are advised to remove their heaps of sand and gravel from the roadsides with immediate effect.

“Individuals who fail to do so until the commencement of the operation on the 26th July 2021, will face penalties in accordance with the laws,” police said in a statement.

Police had earlier announced a new operation dubbed ‘Operation Clear the Roads’ to free the country’s roads of ‘objects’ that obstruct the free flow of traffic. The operation will begin on Monday.

The lawyer for Yankuba Touray who has been sentenced to death after being found guilty of murdering Ousman Koro Ceesay has said he will speak to his client and that they will file an appeal.

“Am going to file an appeal, simplicita. I’m going to talk to my client. Hopefully we will file an appeal,” Abdoulie Sissohor told The Fatu Network on Wednesday shortly after Mr Touray was handed the death sentence for killing Koro Ceesay.

Mr Touray, a former local government minister and military member of the AFPRC ruling council in the mid-1990s, was standing trial for the murder of fellow cabinet member Ousman Koro Ceesay.

Mr Ceesay was battered to death in the house of Mr Touray in June 1995 and on Wednesday the high court found Mr Touray guilty of the murder.

Judge Ebrima Jaiteh said Mr Touray did not only participate in the murder of Koro Ceesay but also took part in the cover up of the act by burning his body.

President Macky Sall has elevated two army officers to the rank of general. They are Daouda Diop, Governor of the palace and Colonel Meissa Cellé Ndiaye.

The two men are said to be experienced and justice-loving servicemen, according to Senego, relying on sources.

Daouda Diop was until then Governor of the palace and Colonel Meissa Cellé Ndiaye, Aide-de-camp to Macky Sall.