Seedy Njie has fired back at Momodou Sabally after the former secretary general shot at him that he is paid to lie.

In an exclusive interview with The Fatu Network, the NPP deputy spokesman countered: “There are over a million Gambians who could talk about corruption, who could talk about governance but not Momodou Sabally. He was secretary general and head of civil service. He was found wanting. Momodou Sabally has no credibility when it comes to governance.

“There are so many Gambians who are accusing him of being responsible for their arrest, their detention and their bogus trial. He said Seedy Njie of Equatorial Guinea. I went up to Equatorial Guinea with the former president. Every Gambian knows that. I am proud to say that I’m a politician, I am loyal, I don’t play double standard.

“In fact Momodou Sabally’s posture is against the teachings and tenets of the Holy Quran and the Holy Prophet Muhammad. Islam detests arrogance pomposity. When you speak, people must see humility in you. With President Barrow and NPP, when we speak, we speak with humility, we speak with respect, we speak with honor and dignity.

“What Momodou Sabally has done if he was in the Arab world, he would have been executed for embezzling millions dollars and hundreds of millions of dalasis  under his leadership when he was secretary general. He would have been executed if he was in somewhere else, in China or in other countries. If it was in the West, he would have been serving jail by now.

“He has grudges against the president. He talks about the lead counsel [of Janneh Commission] but he falls short of mentioning Amie Bensouda. She was the lead counsel of Janneh Commission and Momodou Sabally in the Janneh Commission report, they indicted him for economic crime and for embezzlement of public funds and they recommended for his prosecution and for forfeiture of all his assets and also they recommended for him to be banned for life. The son of the lead counsel he is accusing, insulting every day is a senior executive member of the United Democratic Party and by default she is a member of the United Democratic Party.

“We want Momodou Sabally to come back to his senses. People who banned him for life, people who want him prosecuted, people who want him jailed are now the people inviting him to open doors for them and [for him] to be going around, using him as maid, as a mad person. Because they say, ‘he is metally-ill person, let’s take him for him to be going round insulting people’.”

By Sarjo Brito

The Gambia Police issued a statement on Wednesday May 12, 2021 following rumours of a suspected murder case in the village of Mandinaring, West Coast Region. While investigations into the case is still open, police reveal the motive could have been money after family members confirmed the victim identified as Marang Jaw had paid a sum of D10,000 to the alleged suspect for a trip of sand which was never fulfilled. According to the victim’s family, she has been following on the suspect also identified as one Mario Mendy, but all efforts to get her money back prove futile.

Police said: “The office of the Inspector General of Police hereby informs the public that it is investigating a case of suspected murder which occured on the 11th May, 2021 at Mandinaring Village, West Coast Region.

Preliminary investigations established the deceased to be one Marang Jaw, 37, of Mandinaring Village.

“One Mario Mendy, a 41-year-old Senegalese national is currently the lone suspect and is helping police investigators.

“Mendy had allegedly received an amount of D10,000 from the deceased’s family for a trip of sand which he never fulfilled.

“The deceased lady’s family revealed that she had been following up on Mendy to settle the money received, but to no avail.

“However, yesterday, 11th May, 2021, the suspect allegedly called the deceased’s mother and sister and told them that he had paid the ‘sand money’ to the deceased and was on his way home.

“Moments later, Marang Jaw was found death in the family house with injuries over the body and a pestle believed to be the murder weapon.

“Following intense efforts by Police, the suspect, Mario Mendy was arrested and is currently helping Police with investigations.

“Members of the public with any relevant information or clues about this tragic murder are encouraged to come forward to assist police efforts to fix this puzzle.

“The Office of the IGP solicits the usual cooperation and understanding of the public.”

Top imams at the nation’s top Islamic body the Supreme Islamic Council said on Tuesday evening the moon has not been sighted in The Gambia – now pushing the Eid festival to Thursday.

The officials including Imam Ibrahim Jarju appeared on GRTS moments ago where they made the announcement.

The Gambia government has broken its silence over reports of the seizure of drugs in a truck in Keur Ayib, Senegal from The Gambia.

A statement by the ministry of health said: “The Ministry of Health and partners are following with keen interest, developments surrounding the reported seizure of suspected medicinal products by the Senegalese Custom Border Officers at Kerr Ayub of a Senegalese refrigerated truck with registration number TH 6650 D carrying a cargo of fish and what is believed to be an assortment of medicines. The medicinal products were transported from Southern Senegal (Cassamance) across The Gambia to Northern Senegal.

“Contrary to the social media reports and press statements by some individuals, the refrigerated truck on which the said medical drugs were found was only transiting through The Gambia from the Southern Province of Cassamance.

“Under the ECOWAS protocols, The Gambia is bound by the sub-regional treaty to enhance movement of transiting vehicles through its borders unhindered. It is therefore totally disingenuous to even remotely link The Gambia with the seizure of a Senegalese registered vehicle which loaded its goods from Southern Senegal.

“The general public is hereby notified that the Ministry of Health has requested through the normal diplomatic channels, more information from the relevant Senegalese authorities on the seized medical drugs, their type and quantity.

“As part of its due diligence, the Medicines Control Agency under the Ministry of Health ensures that a detail record and inventory of medicinal products imported into the country are kept and maintained in a government database.

“For avoidance of doubts, the Ministry of Health wishes to inform the general public that there are appropriate regulatory requirements in place for importation and distribution of medicinal products in The Gambia.  These regulatory requirements are enforced and implemented by the Medicines Control Agency which is mandated to ensure compliance to the Law.

“It is illegal and against the Medicines and Related Products Act 2014, for any unlicensed entity to be engaged in importing medicinal products either through overt and covert means. Any individual or entity found to be engaged in such activities will face the full force of the law.”

State House on Tuesday said President Adama Barrow acting under section 76 of the 1997 Constitution is ‘pleased’ to declare Wednesday 12th and Thursday 13th May 2021 as Public Holidays throughout the country in observance of the Feast of Eid-ul-Fitr to mark the end of the Holy Month of Ramadan.

President Barrow wishes all Gambians at home and abroad a happy and joyous Eid Celebration, State House said in a terse statement.

It comes as Saudi Arabia announced Eid will be on Thursday in the country after astronomers failed to sight the moon.

Gambia For Years secretary general Ebrima Sori Bah announced Tuesday his organization will lodge a complaint with police against two officials of the organization who flipped to UDP.

Abdul Willan and Omar Sanyang announced their defection to the UDP from the group on Monday.

But Gambia For Five Years pushed back at their move on Tuesday saying the duo misrepresented facts by appearing to act on behalf of the organization and saying that the entire executive was cross-carpeting to the UDP.

Ebrima Sori Bah told Barrow Media Empowerment: “We will brief the group’s lawyer so that we can start legal action against them. We will take them to police. Not because they joined UDP but because of them mentioning Gambia For Five Years.

“The statement [they made] was the entire registered [members] are cross-carpeting. So we’re going to rely on that and take them to the law with immediate effect. Let no one be surprised and if it means taking them to court we will.”

The organisation’s Godmother Binta Sabally said it was wrong for the duo to say the entire executive had left the group when it was just the two of them out of 11 officials.

UDP online warrior Bubacarr Sidiqi Jammeh has labeled Ahmad Gitteh a Senegalese immigrant amid Gitteh’s comments he was putting his life on the line in order to thwart UDP leader Darboe becoming president of The Gambia.

Mr Gitteh, a strong NPP supporter in a strong statement on Tuesday said he was ready to do anything legally acceptable to prevent Darboe from becoming president. He also blasted the UDP leadership as violent.

US-based Bubacarr Sidiqi Jammeh quickly leapt forward to lead UDP’s fightback, writing: “When we say let’s safeguard our National Documents this exactly what we’re trying to avoid. Here is A Senegalese immigrant, with both parents Senegalese who never legally nationalized but somehow managed to fraudulently acquire our national documents.

“He then went on to take  advantage of thousands of dollars in our scholarship Money under jammeh for being the same brown nosing fanatic he is to barrow today, hiding behind Adam to throw all sorts of vitriol attacks at our respected  leaders at any opportunity he has.

“Here he is echoing the words of his new master Adama vowing to rather “Die” than see Darboe President.

“These death vows in politics are foreign to us and unGambian. We need to stand up and get rid of these weirdos in December. Enough of the foolery.”

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) on Monday said that 7,096 migrants have been rescued off the Libyan coast so far this year.

The rescued migrants include 546 women and 336 minors, IOM said, adding that 157 migrants died and 349 others went missing on the Central Mediterranean route so far in 2021.

In 2020, 11,891 migrants were rescued and returned to Libya, 381 died, and 597 others went missing on the Central Mediterranean route, according to IOM.

“The situation cannot be ignored and states must live up to their responsibilities and redeploy search and rescue vessels,” Federico Soda, IOM’s chief of mission to Libya, tweeted.

The state of insecurity and chaos in Libya following the fall of its long-time leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011 has encouraged thousands of migrants to cross the Mediterranean Sea towards European shores.

According to IOM and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), migrants and refugees in Libya continue to be subjected to arbitrary detention, ill-treatment, exploitation and violence, conditions that push them to take risky journeys with fatal consequences, especially sea crossings.

Rescued migrants end up inside overcrowded reception centers across Libya, despite repeated international calls to close those centers. (XINHUA)

Ahmad Gitteh issued a strong statement today swearing by Allah to die if that’s what it takes to stop UDP leader Ousainou Darboe from becoming president.

In a statement on Facebook today, Gitteh said: “I can 100% assure Momodou Sabally that he will wake up to a very sad reality on December 5th  Inshaa-Allah. I am sure UDP guys will no longer come accusing me of insulting Lawyer Darboe when actually all that former SG Sabally does at any given opportunity is to rain insults on President Adama Barrow and no one, not even Ousainou Darboe cautions him on insulting the president. Everyone of them is very happy with what Momodou Sabally is doing. This is a battle that I Ahmad Gitteh will not take lightly.

“By Allah the creator, I am putting my life on the line. I will do everything and anything legally OK to prevent and stop Ousainou Darboe, Momodou Sabally’s new boss from ever entering number Marina Parade with a single title for the rest of his life.

“To all of you NPP supporters let no one make any single mistake. This election is not a joke. We must not allow our country to fall into the hands of violent, egocentric, divisive and spiteful leadership. This is exactly what UDP leader represents. The battle line has been drawn long long ago. See you all at the polls.”

Momodou Sabally said Seedy Njie is lying for saying he hold grudges against President Adama Barrow – returning fire to the NPP deputy spokesman.

Njie had blasted Sabally for ‘vomiting venom’ from his mouth against President Barrow due to personal grudges and vendetta.

But Sabally shot back on Monday: “He is lying. Seedy Njie of Equatorial Guinea? Seedy can say whatever he wants to say. He is paid to lie, he will continue to lie.

“I don’t have any grudges against Barrow but I’m uprooting him for his incompetence, his corruption and his selling away of the sovereignty of this country and I will make sure that happens.”

The ministry of health has said the plunging of coronavirus cases in the country does not mean the disease has disappeared calling on citizens to wear face masks amid the Koriteh festival.

Muslims in The Gambia are preparing to mark the end of Ramadan and they spend the period worshipping Allah and visiting family and friends.

The health ministry in a statement said: “As Muslims in The Gambia and in many other countries celebrate or observe the Eid Fitr commonly known as Koriteh on or around Wednesday the 12st day of May 2021, the Ministry of Health hereby informs all intending travellers and volunteers who want to be tested for COVID-19 continue to report at the sample collection site at the Independence Station in Bakau.

“The COVID-19 sample collection site around the Ministry of Petroleum in Brusubi will be closed on the Koriteh day and a day after. The closure of the Brusubi site for two days is due to limited number of health workers on duties for sample collection as a good number of the worker will be celebrating the feast and enjoying the presumed public holiday.

“Citizens and others residing in The Gambia are further urged to follow all the precautionary measures recommended for the prevention and control of COVID-19, especially: wearing face mask preferably made of fabric; [and] hand washing with soap and running water or use hand sanitizer

“The Ministry wishes to clarify that, the reduction of reported cases in the past seven days does not suggest that, the coronavirus has disappeared in this country, thus it is vital that we continue to remain committed and maintain the efforts.

“Meanwhile, the Ministry further appeals to the general public to visit health facilities to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Those that have their first dose of vaccine and are due for the second are particularly encouraged to get the second jab. The public is also encouraged to call the Ministry of Health Toll-Free Number 1025 for information regarding COVID-19. The Ministry of Health wishes all a successful and safe Eid celebration.”

The Supreme Islamic Council issued a statement today reminding Muslims in The Gambia that the sighting of the Crescent Moon of Shawwaal will be Tuesday evening, Tuesday 29.

The council said Tuesday marked the 29th day of Ramadan. Eidul Fitr could therefore be marked on Wednesday.

“Therefore, the Council urges all Muslims to carefully sight the Crescent Moon and inform the Council or its Regional Representatives/Committee Heads of any information about the Crescent Moon.

“We ask Allaah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) to accept all our Ibaadaat during the Blessed month. May HE continue to guide and protect us all from all evils and evil-doers,” the council said.

Police on Monday confirmed arresting a 36-year-old man who allegedly uses the ‘marabout’ profession as cover to ply his cannabis trade.

Police anti-crime raided the fake marabout’s shrine on May 3.

Police spokesman Lamin Njie told The Fatu Network: “The Anti Crime Unit during patrols on the 3rd May 2021, arrested Mass Joof, 36 year old Senegalese at Sanyang Village, Kombo South.

“He was found to be a fraudulent marabout involved in dealing with suspected cannabis. Bundles of suspected cannabis were recovered from his possession.

“He is helping with investigations.”

The Commercial Customs Brigade of Keur Ayip, Kaolack Subdivision last Friday seized several tons of drugs from a truck from The Gambia, Senego reported on Monday.

Office of Public Relations and Communication of the Senegalese of Customs department said in a statement the drugs were discovered in a refrigerated truck from The Gambia.

According to Senego, the value of the drugs is estimated at 1,564,118,740 CFA francs. The value of another 649 kilograms of tablets that tested positive for pure morphine remains to be determined, the outlet added.

According to the paper, the drugs were hidden under crates of frozen fish.

United Democratic Party has issued a statement over reports of the seizure of large quantities of drugs in Kerr Ayib, a Senegalese town bordering The Gambia.

UDP’s statement read: “The United Democratic Party views with alarm and despair the frequent reports of interceptions and seizures of large quantities of drugs and narcotic substances in and around the Gambia. The recent spike in number of serious crimes such as murder, rape, armed robberies human trafficking and drug smuggling are a serious cause for concern about the effectiveness of the Gambia’s national security apparatus particularly at the points of entry into the country.

“UDP condemns the lackadaisical attitude of the Gambia Government in diligently investigating and prosecuting serious crimes involving narcotic substances which originate from outside the Gambia. The presence of these ‘expensive’ drugs in the Gambia is the result of significant security lapses at various ports of entry.

“Recently more than 2 tons of cocaine was confiscated at the port of Banjul by DLEAG, although the consignee of the cocaine shipment has been identified presently he is  at large and considered a fugitive, no arrest or charges have been made so far. UDP appreciates the fact that investigates must be allowed to run their course unhindered at the same time we believe that periodic updates and progress reports can help to reassure the populace.

“The international dimensions of the above incident and the Keur Ayib incident seriously jeopardizes  the national reputation of the Gambia as a peaceful tourism destination and increases  the risk of Gambia being regarded as a Narco-state. Even worse making the Gambia a soft target for organized crime syndicates operating globally and using  the Gambia as an entrepot into West Africa to gain onward access to the more lucrative markets of  Europe and Asia.

“The presence of hard drugs that are highly valued  globally in the country puts a heavy burden on the law enforcement agencies in keeping the exhibits (drugs) safe and secure until lawfully disposed. At the same time there is the real risk of the drugs getting introduced into the local population and the youths are particularly vulnerable in this regard.

“For these reasons  the UDP urges the law enforcement agencies to be extra vigilant in the execution of their duties and to redouble their efforts investigating and apprehending all those involve in this serious threat to our National Security.

“Therefore, the UDP calls on the Gambia Government to take tangible measures to urgently deal with this ominous trend towards wanton criminality in the Gambia. Furthermore, UDP urges the Gambia Government to collaborate with the sister republics of Senegal, Guinea Bissau, & Guinea Conakry to develop joint strategies to combat this regional and global threat to peace and security of our nations.”

Two personnel of the Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) recently returned to the country after successfully completing a two-month long course in Explosive Ordinance Devices (EOD) and Post Blast Analysis in Egypt, the army said on Monday.

They are Captain Modou Nying, a Staff Officer under GAF Operations and specializing in explosives and Staff Sergeant Bojang Muniru from 4 Infantry Battalion in Kanilai, the army said.

The army reported on its website: “This particular course was conducted at the Egyptian Police Academy.

“The course covered EOD general areas namely: making explosive charges and emplacement, demolition of both military ammunition and Improvised Explosives Devices (IEDs) using the disruption methods.”

Charitable Islamic group Al-Birr Association has warned Gambians against attempts aimed at bringing the Muslim veil and abaya dress into disrepute.

There has been suggestion those who wear the Muslim dress are often either thieves or into other not-so-good acts.

But Al-Birr in a statement said: “Following the shocking video of two veiled women shoplifting at a clothing shop around the 1^st of May 2021, Al Birr Association (a charitable organization for the wellbeing of Muslim women in the Gambia) has decided to do a press release regarding the unfortunate incident. Gambian women of all religions are respectable, dignified and very hardworking. Consequently, it is indeed shocking to see these two women stealing from a clothing shop cash reported to be over 200,000 Dalasis. A couple of days after, another video went viral on social media showing the same two women, this time unveiled in their normal outfit. One can safely conclude that these women may not be hijab wearing women. The questions then are: why were they in veil (hijab) in the first video? Was the hijab used as a cover?

“The reason for this release is to urge the general public to desist from abuse of a very decent clothing (the hijab) which is prescribed by the Almighty Allah for Muslim women. Islam generally speaks of women with high regard and dignity. There are a lot of decent women of excellent character, both hijab and non-hijab. These two sisters probably used the hijab for the wrong reason.

“That should not be the reason to humiliate & harass the rest of God-fearing women and girls in our streets and markets. Most times you hear statements like “These ibaadus (veiled women) are thieves”. Such remarks are an insult to many decent women & girls out there. We solicit the understanding and cooperation of the general public to respect all women & girls especially the veiled ones. Al Birr will therefore hold a Press Conference very shortly.”

Chad’s new leader Gen. Mahamat Idriss Deby traveled to Niger on Monday, making his first international trip since the military put him in charge last month following the death of his father.

Deby arrived in Niger’s capital, Niamey, where he was greeted by Niger’s Prime Minister Ouhoumoudou Mahamadou and other dignitaries. The 37-year-old Chadian head of state is expected to meet with Niger’s new President Mohamed Bazoum.

Some 1,200 Chadian soldiers are deployed in western Niger near the border with Burkina Faso, where extremist attacks have been increasing over the past few years.

Chad and Niger are both members of the G5 Sahel, a regional security force battling extremism, alongside Burkina Faso, Mali and Mauritania.

Chad’s military government now in charge has blamed the death of longtime President Idriss Deby Itno on a rebel group and said some of the militants had then retreated across the border into Niger.

The younger Deby has sought to move forward despite lingering concerns by opposition groups that he should not have been handed control of the country. Under the country’s constitution, power should have been given to the president of the National Assembly.

However, a number of opposition politicians have since been named to prominent positions within the military-led transitional government, including the posts of prime minister and justice minister. (AP)

UDP has congratulated Rohey Malick Lowe on her selection as Mayor of the Month by the United Cities of Local Government.

In a statement, UDP wrote: “On behalf of the National President Aji Yamundow Jaye Yarboe, the Secretary-General and Party Leader Ousainu ANM Darboe and indeed on behalf of the entire membership of the United Democratic Party we wish to congratulate most heartily her worship the Mayor of Banjul Hon. Rohey Malick Lowe on her recent selection as Mayor of the Month by The United Cities of Local Government (UCLG). This is a great and prestigious honour for her the capital city of our nation.

“UDP wishes to express its great pride and profound satisfaction with the amazing work and great achievements of the first elected female Mayor of the Gambia’s capital city. Since her election in May 2018, Rohey Malick Lowe has been making history at every turn. The believes [sic] that Mayor Rohey Malick Lowe sets an excellent example for women in the Gambia and young girls all over Africa.

“UDP applauds her as a fine role model, an exemplary leader and a woman of substance who continues to represent the Gambia very well on various platforms on the global stage. We pray for her success in all her assignments and endeavours. God speed and God bless Rohey Malick Lowe.”