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Gambians Germany wanted to deport spent hours at airport and later taken back to detention centre, Yahya Sonko says

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A group of Gambians that Germany wanted to deport on Wednesday spent hours at the airport in Germany before being whisked back to a detention facility, Gambia Refugee Association spokesman Yahya Sonko has said.

The official had told news outlets including The Fatu Network a plane carrying Gambians living in Germany would arrive in the country Wednesday afternoon. The foreign ministry would not comment on the issue.

According to Mr Sonko, he on Wednesday spoke to two of the Gambians who confirmed Germany officials were “taking them back to Pforzheim Deportation prison, they were taking to Frankfurt Airport since in the morning delayed happened but they were not told why and shortly before 23pm they were told you deportation for today is cancelled till further notice”.

Some Gambians online have claimed the deportation report is false.

‘We remain steadfast’: Eye Africa reacts as government grants outlet TV license

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Eye Africa TV has been granted Digital Terrestrial TV license approved by the Ministry of Information and Communications Infrastructure (MOICI) through Public Utility and Regulatory Authority (PURA). The online outlet was granted license on Tuesday January 25.

The approval of the Television Broadcasting (Content Provider Free Air) license will pave the way for Eye Africa TV to begin broadcasting for wider audience, a statement by the outlet on Wednesday said.

The Chief Executive Officer of Eye Africa, Lamin Kanteh said, according to the statement. “I want to underline our resolve to be a major player in the transformation process of Gambia’s media industry. As a household name for changing the television broadcasting landscape, we remain steadfast and shall continue leading this trajectory for a better and standardised media sector.”

Eye Africa was established in 2012 as a global online media broadcast and has subsidiary online bureaus in the United States, Europe and Asia.

Former immigration boss Tamsir Jassey is GAP national president as party says it’s a decision not ‘regretted’

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Former director general of Gambia Immigration Department Tamsir Jassey has been appointed national president of Gambia Action Party.

Jassey spent six years at Mile 2 following his implication in the 2006 Ndure Cham coup. He was later released following the visit to the country of US civil rights activist Jesse Jackson.

Jassey was appointed GAP national president on January 25 “after consultative efforts and a decision that is not regretted”, according a statement by the party.

BB Darbo and co’s S’Court victory paves way for tens of thousands of Gambians who live abroad to be able to vote in election

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A ruling by the Supreme Court on Wednesday has paved the way for tens of thousands of Gambians who live abroad to be able to vote in elections in The Gambia.

Chief Justice Hassan B Jallow alongside four other top justices jointly declared parts of the nation’s election law which bars citizens who live abroad from voting as unlawful.

GFA leader Bakary Bunja Darbo and four others last year sued the attorney general and the Independent Electoral Commission at the nation’s top court asking the court to declare Sections 17 and 105 as unconstitutional. They also asked the court to order the IEC to register Gambians who live abroad to enable them to vote in ‘all public elections and referenda’.

And on Wednesday the justices held that every Gambian including those residing outside are entitled to register for and vote in elections to the “offices of president, members of the national assembly, for local government offices and traditional rulers as well as in referenda”.

Businessman Abubakary Jawara asks his lawyers to commence legal action against people defaming him

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Heavyweight businessman Abubakary Jawara has announced he has instructed his attorneys to commence legal action against ‘key’ individuals most responsible for defaming him.

Jawara remained mute in the last years as scores of Gambians went about accusing him of all kinds of things including importing guns into the country illegally. Just recently, false claims were made against him that he is a friend of Banta Keita who is wanted by police over nearly three tons of cocaine seized at the port. And at the start of this week, people circulated a photo of Jawara with President Barrow with claims a third man in the photo is Banta Keita. It later emerged the man was the businessman’s uncle.

In a statement he personally signed and shared with The Fatu Network, Jawara said he does not know Banta Keita, has never met him and ‘at no point have I been associated with him’.

“For a number of years now, I have been the subject of social media fabrications aimed at damaging my reputation. I have for so long remained silent and taken the high road but this has to end at some point,” the businessman said in his statement.

He said elsewhere: “All individuals bent on spreading falsehoods against my person are hereby warned to cease and desist from these ill-intentioned acts. Henceforth I shall not hesitate to utilise all resources at my disposal to ensure that my rights are protected under the law and that the said individuals who create, post and share unfounded information about me are made to answer before our law courts.

“Thankfully our laws protect against defamation and individuals found wanting by the courts are liable to pay very considerable financial compensation and punitive damages to the victims of their false statements. I have today, Wednesday the 27th January 2021 instructed my solicitors to commence legal action against certain key individuals most responsible for the propagation of these unfounded statements.”

 

Senegal: Sex workers selling sex on credit as COVID-19-related restrictions cause blow to business

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Sex workers are selling sex on credit in Senegal as coronavirus-related restrictions such as night-time curfew hit their business hard.

According to Senegalese outlet Leral.net on Wednesday, the pandemic is killing prostitution with some sex workers now selling sex on credit.

One sex worker speaking to the outlet said coronavirus has triggered scarcity of customers, closure of soliciting places, fears linked to the transmission of the virus, economic crisis and Dakar going into total blackout at night due to the curfew.

Leral.net said the sex workers are now going about their trade during day time with some selling sex on credit.

Former Gambian VP Vies For Top AU Commission Position

By Demba Ali Jawo

Former Gambian Vice President, Mrs. Fatoumata Jallow Tambajang, is vying for Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), and in an exclusive interview with veteran Gambian journalist and former Minister of Information and Communication Infrastructure, Mr. Demba Ali Jawo, she explains her motivation for wanting to serve in that coveted position in the AU Commission and what she intends to contribute to advancing the cause of African unity and development.

Mrs. Jallow Tambajang had been quite a versatile technocrat who had served in various capacities both in government and the NGO community, as well as for several years in the United Nations system. She had been a seasoned technocrat with a lifetime service in both the public sector and civil society and she has had a distinguished career with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), both as Chief Technical Adviser as well as UNV/UNDP Adviser on Gender, Health and Population in Liberia. She had also served as Vice-President of the Republic of the Gambia; Minister of Health, Social Welfare and Women’s Affairs; and Policy Adviser on Women to three successive Presidents of The Gambia. She also served as Chairperson of the National Women’s Council; and Women’s Representative to The Gambia National Economic and Social Council. Mrs. Jallow Tambajang also served as UNDP Chief Technical Adviser on Gender and Policy Reforms for the Enforcement of the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and UN Resolution 1325. In addition to being UNV/UNDP Adviser on Gender, Health and Population in Liberia; she also served as UNDP Gambia Financial Manager; Thematic Leader in many sectors; Chairperson of the UNDP Staff Association, Staff Performance Management and the Staff Training and Asset Control Committees.

Mrs. Jallow Tambajang had been a trailblazer, a highly qualified, competent, conscientious and reputable Gambian, and an eminent Pan-Africanist with a Bachelor of Arts degree in French from the University of Nice, France. She has also had over 35 years expertise and extensive work experience in international development management, governance, the empowerment of women and youth, diverse and resilient political leadership positions in The Gambia, across Africa and globally.

On the political front, Mrs. Jallow Tambajang has been credited with playing a pivotal role in the formation of an opposition coalition in 2016, which eventually defeated the dictatorial regime of former Gambian President Yahya Jammeh in the 2016 presidential elections. She championed the establishment of an unprecedented Coalition of seven Gambian opposition political parties and four civil society organizations, which ushered in a peaceful democratic dispensation in the country leading to her being voted as African Woman of The Year in 2017 by the New African Magazine. Her role in helping to resolve the political impasse and addressing the post-impasse political crises during the transition period, which made it possible for the new government to win the support of many African countries and the international community, tells quite a lot about her character and resilience.

Therefore, Mrs. Jallow Tambajang’s nomination by Gambian President Adama Barrow for the distinguished position of Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission had been quite welcome by a cross section of Gambians and others who have known or worked with her. Her wealth of experience and dedication to Africa puts her in a very good position to serve the continent at the highest level.

In an answer to the question as to what motivated her to want to serve as Deputy Chairperson of the AU Commission, Mrs. Jallow Tambajang said; “My motivation to serve as AUC DCP is inspired by my dream,  passion, and commitment to supporting the AUC Chairperson to accelerate the implementation of the AU 2017 Reform Agenda within the framework of the AU 2063 Agenda.” She said the focus of her support will be to provide proactive leadership in transforming the backbone of the AUC, such as “the office of the deputy chairperson, into a center of excellence by ensuring good governance, transparency and accountability to policy compliance in the management of human, financial assets and agreements, delivery of efficient and quality services to all stakeholders, gender balance and merit-based staff recruitment, deployment, promotions, and solidarity, building winning teams and strategic partnerships/(south-south and international cooperation) as well as promoting applications of new technologies to ensure productivity and efficient performance of the AUC.”

Mrs. Jallow Tambajang went further to state that if ever she gets the position, her approach to gender issues would be to strategically support the Department of Gender and Women Development through the sharing of her expertise in order to obtain gender balance and empowerment in all echelons of the AU Commission, engendering policies and programs, including budgets, recruitment, and retention of competent staff and gender consultants as well as supporting strategic partnerships with women civil society organizations with a view to facilitating the effective implementation of the AUC Gender Agenda.

On the question that the AU was not being quite visible at the grassroots level in Africa, and what she thought should be done to bring the AU Commission closer to the people, Mrs. Jallow Tambajang said the AU can transform its present limited support to African grassroots by strengthening partnerships of the AU Commission and outsourcing its relevant development programs and services to credible NGOs, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), and the private sector within the framework of clearly defined Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) and Performance Contracts to ensure quality and accountable delivery of programs and services.

On whether her candidature had obtained the endorsement of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), she said, “my candidature has been endorsed by the ECOWAS Authority, as required by the AU Commission nomination procedures. The procedure requires nominating member states to secure the endorsement of their candidates from their respective sub-regional authorities before submitting these to the AU Commission.” It is therefore clear that she has received the full backing of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Governments.

As to what message she had for Gambians and Africans in general, Mrs. Jallow Tambajang urged her compatriots and other Africans supporting her candidature to continue campaigning strategically and vigorously for her as well as to pray for her success, which by extension she said would be the pride of the country. “This would be a fulfillment of the AU Constitutive Act and AU Agenda 2063 regarding Gender Parity through recruitment of competent and committed African women experts in the AUC,  in general,  and in the DCP position, in particular, when the chairperson is a male,” She concluded.

What would Mrs. Jallow Tambajang’s election to the coveted position of Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission mean for the ECOWAS sub-region and the Gambia in particular? The answer is quite obvious. Her vast experiences in both public service and the UN system would have quite a positive impact on both ECOWAS and the AU Commission, particularly in the implementation of the 2017 AU Reform Agenda and Agenda 2063, which are both flagship programs of the AU Commission. Her election would also no doubt be a morale booster to all Gambians, especially the women folk to see for the first time a Gambian occupying such a high position in the continental body.

We should therefore all wish Mrs. Jallow Tambajang success in her endeavours.

 

Ferrari, Bentley & Private Jet: ST Brikama Boyo spotted filming music at Airport

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Music lovers should expect a glass shattering video when ST launches two of his most anticipated songs: the Dinding Mansa (same name for the album), and My People, which features legendary African musician Baba Maal.

Photos of the set exclusive to The Fatu Network show the Gambiana singer acting out in front of a fleet of cars against an exquisite private jet at the Banjul International Airport. Airport sources confirm the musician did use the airport to shoot his new music video.

In the photos obtained by The Fatu Network, The singer could be seen flanked by beautifully dressed models who would give Victoria Secret’s Angel models a big run for their money. It was not immediately clear if the models are hired from Senegal or Ghana.

“I don’t know which video they were making but what I saw with my own eyes will blow your mind away,” said one person who said he saw the shooting being carried out.

The development comes ahead of the much-anticipated launching of ST’s Dinding Mansa album on February 6. ST’s management could not be immediately reached for comment.

Plane from Germany carrying deported Gambians to land at airport Wednesday afternoon, refugee group spokesman says

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By Sarjo Brito

A plane carrying a group of Gambians who have been deported from Germany will land at the Banjul International Airport Wednesday afternoon, the spokesman of the Gambia Refugee Association in Europe has said.

Concerns have been mounting over the past weeks as German authorities set to carry out more deportation of Gambian illegal immigrants.

And confirming the news to The Fatu Network, the spokesperson of the Gambia Refugee Association Yahya Sonko said his association has been contacted by Gambians held at the deportation prison in Germany to confirm that they are set to depart Germany January 27, 2021 and estimated time of arrival at the Banjul International the same day at 4pm GMT.

‘’As an Association, we can confirm receiving calls from Gambian detainees at the deportation prison. They confirmed that they will be deported today 11am German time and will arrive in Gambia at 4pm. Two families have also contacted me from the Gambia, confirming to have received calls from their loved ones who told them they will be deported today,” Sonko said.

Following news of this deportation, Sonko said he had tried reaching out to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for comments regarding the matter but got no response so far. The activist said he had also tried reaching the Gambia Immigration Department to confirm if a landing permit has been issued “but all efforts to get the authorities to talk continue to prove futile”.

The subject regarding mass deportation has recently sparked anger among Gambians as government is accused of ignoring the plight its citizens abroad. Allegations of the Barrow Administration signing a deal with the German government to deport Gambians has been touted by some activists for some time, with many asking government to come out and set the record straight.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Saikou Ceesay was contacted for comment who said he would find out. He later did not pick repeated calls.

Senegal – Hiba Thiam: Court convicts six people in overdosing death case of promising young woman

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A court in Senegal on Wednesday asked six people to jointly pay 50 million CFA to the family of Hiba Thiam, the popular young woman who died of drug overdose at a party for rich kids last year.

Dame Amar, Papa Diadia Tall, Alia Bakir, Fatoumata Jacqueline Rigal alias Choupette, Djibril Ndiogou Bassène alias Nekh and police officer Lamine Diédhiou all ran into trouble following the fatal passing of Thiam.

They were charged with various offences ranging from criminal conspiracy, drug use, failure to assist a person in danger, violation of the law on the curfew in Senegal and corruption.

Dame Amar, Papa Diadia Tall, Alia Bakir, Fatoumata Jacqueline Rigal alias Choupette, Djibril Ndiogou Bassène alias Nekh were sentenced to 6 months for possession of drugs and failure to assist a person in danger, according to Senego on Wednesday.

Police officer Lamine Diédhiou who helped them violate the curfew was sentenced to six months suspended jail sentence, for corruption.

S’Court orders high court to press ahead with Yankuba Touray trial after holding that the ex-junta big-shot is not entitled to immunity but DELAYS reason

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The Supreme Court has said it will in ‘due course’ disclose the reasons for why it held former junta official Yankuba Touray is not entitled to constitutional immunity.

The nation’s top justices led by Chief Justice Hassan B Jallow dismissed on Wednesday morning a claim by Touray the constitution shields him from prosecution for any commission or ommission during the two-year military transition between 1994 and 1997.

In their terse ruling, the three men and two women justices said the high court had turned to the Supreme Court to determine whether the accused person is entitled to constitutional immunity from prosecution of the murder of Ousman Koro Ceesay “pursuant to paragraph 13(1) (3) (4) and (5) of the Second Schedule of the Republic of The Gambia, 1997”.

“This court, having considered the oral submissions and written briefs of learned counsel for both parties and of the Amicus Curiae admitted by the court, finds and holds that the accused Yankuba Touray is not entitled to constitutional immunity from prosecution for the alleged murder of Ousman Koro Ceesay pursuant to paragraph 13(1) (3) (4) and (5) of the Second Schedule of the Republic of The Gambia, 1997. Reasons for the decision will be delivered by the court in due course.

“Accordingly, the High Court (Jaiteh J) is hereby directed to proceed with the trial of the accused person as charged,” the justices said.

 

 

 

Rohey Lowe returns in style: Banjul mayor returns to work after being away for weeks – as guard of honour is rolled out and staff line to welcome the revered politician

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Mayor Rohey Lowe returned to work on Wednesday after being away for weeks on leave – as a guard of honour is mounted and staff line to welcome the return of the elected top local government official to work.

Mayor Lowe had been on leave since December 21.

But on Wednesday, Banjul City Council staff led by the security unit under the Leadership of Commissioner Jarjue welcomed the mayor back, according to a statement on Banjul City Council official Facebook page.

Mayor Lowe seized the opportunity to implore all the staff of the city council to be more committed to the quality service delivery for the city in the year 2021, the statement said.

Why The ECOMIG Mission Should Leave Now

By Madi Jobarteh

The presence of ECOMIG mission in the Gambia until today highlights everything that is wrong in this country since 2017 for which each and every citizen must be highly concerned. The story of the Gambia between 1994 and 2016 is common knowledge. Hence when the Tyrant rejected the presidential election results on 9 December 2016 and backed by the National Assembly on 17 January 2017 when they extended the term of the President, it was finally left to ECOWAS’ military intervention to effectively make Jammeh relinquish power as Barrow took the oath in Dakar on January 19.

The mandate of ECOMIG therefore as expressed by the Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo, “was to create an enabling environment for the effective enforcement of the rule of law, and, in accordance with the Constitution of The Gambia, facilitate the inauguration of the President-Elect, Adama Barrow, on Thursday January 19, 2017.” It was on January 18 that ECOMIG entered the Gambia through Farafeni, comprising 7000 troops made from Senegal, Nigeria, Ghana, Mali, and Togo, with air and naval support.

It is therefore obvious that the intent behind ECOMIG intervention was essentially to ensure that Yaya Jammeh was removed from power so that Adama Barrow could assume office in a peaceful environment. There is no written declaration by ECOWAS nor an agreement between the Gambia and ECOWAS about the continued presence of ECOMIG after the ousting of Jammeh. Thus, since 18 January 2017 when ECOMIG entered the Gambia, it has remained in this country only at the request of President Barrow and the unilateral approval of the ECOWAS heads of states.

Yet it is obvious that the presence of international forces in any country which is not at war, nor a post-conflict society would have to be guided by an agreement. In our context, the 1997 Constitution stipulates that only the National Assembly approves any international agreement that the Government can enter into. Yet since 2017 the National Assembly never received a bill for the ratification of an international agreement to legalise the presence of foreign troops in this country. Why didn’t the President ever take the issue of ECOMIG to the National Assembly?

Apart from the unconstitutional presence of ECOMIG in this country, we must bear in mind that the Gambia has an armed force already which is led by a Chief of Defence Staff with various service chiefs, and whose Commander-in-Chief is the President of the Republic. Yet, four years since taking office in such abnormal circumstances, the Commander-in-Chief is yet to visit any military barracks in this country despite the fact that this country has launched an ambitious security sector reform as part of the wider transitional justice program. Why?

Hence when we get to this point, it will be harmful to the country if our concern is only about the perceived security threats based on the idea that there are Jammeh loyalists in the military. The fact that must be recognised is that the new government was expected to lead a robust transition process that would have addressed the issues and concerns of the country as any serious government would, given our background. Why didn’t they do so meaningfully?

I do not think there are so-called Jammeh loyalists in the military or in any part of our society who are armed to the teeth and lurking behind the shadows seeking to overthrow this government or destabilise our society. No. if so, why are they not doing it until now? Yes, someone will claim because ECOMIG is present. I say to that person, the presence of ECOMIG will only delay that intention and therefore further empower those Jammeh loyalists as ECOMIG will not be present here forever. Hence ECOMIG is not a viable bulwark against such threats.

There are Jammeh supporters in every sector of our society and institutions; and indeed, a citizen has a right to support Jammeh. But the strength of these Jammeh supporters are actually derived from the failure of this President to lead a comprehensive, effective and meaningful security sector reform and overall transitional justice processes. Rather what Barrow has succeeded in doing over the past four years is to strengthen the cleavages in our society, weaken institutions further and undermine the social, economic and political transformation of the country. What this has resulted into is widespread and deep polarisation on all fronts.

To address these cleavages, polarisation, issues and concerns is not to maintain foreign forces any longer. No. Rather, it is time that we demand this government to have balls and lead this country well. We must demand a plan of not more than three to six months for ECOMIG to withdraw, while frantic efforts are undertaken to address all issues and concerns in the security sector.

For example, the issue in the security sector is not primarily Jammeh loyalists versus the country. The issue is fundamentally about the working conditions, leadership, fair play and morale in the security institutions. Go to any military barracks or police station or police quarters or prison quarters to see the deplorable living and working spaces – unkempt compounds, worn-out and rundown buildings, poor lighting, poor ventilation and toilet facilities, poor materials and equipment in the offices, limited vehicles, poor salaries and incentives, and overall low morale. Are these being addressed?

And remember, in April/May 2017 there was an audit of the army to ascertain who was a true and genuine Gambian soldier by asking soldiers to line up to present their documents at Yundum barracks. The audit found out that some soldiers could not read and write English language, while some were never seen in any barracks in this country. But this was an exercise that was a good start to help the Commander-in-Chief and his service chiefs to restructure and transform the military. Did they do that?

Until today, there is no reform of the Armed Forces Act, NIA Act, Police Act, Prisons Act or other laws establishing other security agencies. Yet one cannot do a security sector reform in a post-authoritarian regime without first conducting legal reforms thus paving the way for institutional reforms and capacity building.

Thus, I wish to call on the National Assembly to take up its leadership role urgently and vigorously to correct this gross travesty on our sovereignty. ECOWAS has no mandate to extend the presence of ECOMIG here. Hence NAMs should demand that the President brings to them an agreement for their review. In this review, I wish to call on NAMs to approve only a maximum of six months within which ECOMIG should wind down and leave completely.

For that matter, the National Assembly must demand that the President provide a comprehensive security sector reform action plan covering January to June 2021. This action plan must realistically outline what needs to be done to build a robust security sector that is fit for democracy. There is absolutely no justification to give 12 months to ECOMIG and then transform it into a police mission. This will only serve to delay and derail SSR, undermine good governance and bring unforeseen costs and consequences on the country in the medium to long term.

For The Gambia Our Homeland

 

‘We’re going to invite Darboe’: NPP will invite UDP to its launching on Saturday, top member of party Saihou Mballow says

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The National People’s Party will invite United Democratic Party through its leader Ousainou Darboe to its launching billed for this Saturday.

NPP supporters led by President Adama Barrow will converge at the Independence Stadium on Saturday for the launching of the party. The party was formed a little over a year ago.

Political parties including UDP will be invited to the massive event, according to Saihou Mballow who is a member of NPP as well as an adviser to President Barrow.

“We are going to invite Ousainou Darboe and we hope Ousainou Darboe will come because this party is a splinter of the UDP. So we expect Ousainou Darboe to come there and see that his brother or his son or his ex-executive members like Saihou Mballow, Lamin Cham and others are working…,” Mballow told The Fatu Network.

NPP and UDP will be the two biggest antagonists in the presidential election later this year. President Barrow and Darboe appointed each other son and father but their spectacular falling-out in 2018 has seen each gone their separate political ways.

Yankuba Touray leaves Supreme Court empty-handed as the top court dismisses his bid to have his murder trial declared illegal

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Former junta leader has lost his bid to nullify his trial for murder after the Supreme Court threw out his claim of immunity on Wednesday morning.

Touray has for the past three months been at the nation’s top court for arbitration after he repeatedly insisted he was immune from prosecution in his murder trial. He said the constitution bars it.

Lawyers last month took on each other for nearly two hours with the former army captain’s lawyer insisting the entire time immunity is a shield.

But the Supreme Court on Wednesday morning ruled against Mr Touray which means his trial at the high court must now continue.

“[It] makes it clear immunity can’t be relied on when charged with a criminal offense. Doing so would encourage impunity,” top attorney Gaye Sowe who led a group of lawyers in the case as friends of the court told The Fatu Network of the unprecedented Supreme Court judgment.

Yankuba Touray is standing trial for the 1995 murder of former finance minister Ousman Koro Ceesay.

His legal trouble came after he appeared at the TRRC in June 2019 but refused to testify. His behaviour then saw the then minister of justice Abubacarr Tambadou vowing to ‘set an example’. He was arrested by police shortly after and charged with the murder of Koro Ceesay.

Breaking News: Yankuba Touray suffers Supreme Court heartache as top court dismisses his claim of immunity

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Former junta leader has lost his bid to nullify his trial for murder after the Supreme Court threw out his claim of immunity on Wednesday morning.

Touray has for the past three months been at the nation’s top court for arbitration after he repeatedly insisted he was immune from prosecution in his murder trial. He said the constitution bars it.

Lawyers last month took on each other for nearly two hours with the former army captain’s lawyer insisting the entire time immunity is a shield.

But the Supreme Court on Wednesday morning ruled against Mr Touray which means his trial at the high court must now continue.

“[It] makes it clear immunity can’t be relied on when charged with a criminal offense. Doing so would encourage impunity,” top attorney Gaye Sowe who led a group of lawyers in the case as friends of the court told The Fatu Network of the unprecedented Supreme Court judgment.

Yankuba Touray is standing trial for the 1995 murder of former finance minister Ousman Koro Ceesay.

His legal trouble came after he appeared at the TRRC in June 2019 but refused to testify. His behaviour then saw the then minister of justice Abubacarr Tambadou vowing to ‘set an example’. He was arrested by police shortly after and charged with the murder of Koro Ceesay.

US: Musa Camara, 22, allegedly shoots mom dead during argument over his laziness

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An East Harlem man with an aversion to hard work was looking at hard time Tuesday after fatally shooting his mother, police said.

Mom of eight Fatoumata Danson was gunned down by her son inside their apartment after a morning dispute over his refusal to find a job, according to cops and the victim’s brother.

The unemployed and unhinged Musa Camara, 22, was tasered and arrested after allegedly shooting his mother in the head and then firing a shot at a stranger on the street after fleeing his family’s NYCHA building, police said.

Danson, 40, was found with a fatal gunshot wound near the door of their home in the Lehman Village houses on E. 108th St. near Park Ave.

“The son don’t want to work,” said his uncle Yankuba Sangarie through tears. “He’s very lazy. He wants the mother to take care of him all his life. … He don’t want to go to work or get a place for himself. That’s the reason that he shot the mom.”

Camara was taken to Metropolitan Hospital for a psychiatric evaluation. Police sources said the suspect has a history of mental illness.

Police responded to the apartment multiple times in the past to stop fights between the suspect and his mother, sources said.

“They said he was smoking weed before everything happened,” said the gunman’s cousin Fataumata Sankareh, as devastated family members gathered outside the New York City Housing Authority building to mourn the victim. “I’m still shocked … confused. I first heard it, I fell to the floor. I can’t believe it.”

Cops were called to the building about two blocks from Central Park about 9:20 a.m., with neighbors reporting the son had just shot his mother and fled the scene. At about the same time, cops were summoned to the corner of E. 110th St. and Park Ave. after Camara allegedly opened fire on a 29-year-old stranger.

The victim was not hit, and cops quickly took the slain woman’s son into custody. Once inside the 23rd Precinct stationhouse, the suspect began acting out and stripping off his clothes before he was hospitalized, authorities said.

“I want him to go to life in prison,” said Sangarie, mourning his slain sister. “No mercy for him. He killed somebody lovely in the family.”

Danson, a Gambian immigrant who worked as a home health aide, was remembered by her brother as a “very sweet person” who came to New York in search of a better life for her family and instead died at the hands of her own child.

“She don’t have a problem with anybody,” said Sangarie. “She’s a hardworking lady, taking care of her eight children. Everybody loves her. She’s a good sister, a good family member.” (New York Daily News)

 

‘Report yourself or we take you to the media’: Health ministry threatens escaped coronavirus-positive mutineers with punishment and media coverage

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The ministry of health has asked escaped coronavirus patients to report surrender themselves with ‘immediate’ effect or risk serious consequences which could include having their identities made public.

The health ministry said on Tuesday afternoon 40 people are mingling with members of the public even after they tested positive for coronavirus.

“Several efforts have been made in the past month by the Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 Response Team to reach and/or convince the abovementioned individuals to voluntarily comply, however all efforts have turned out futile,” top ministry of health official Modou Njai said in a statement.

Njai added: “The Ministry continues to treat these matters with utmost and grave concern and thus, the Ministry is hereby giving an order and ultimatum to all those concerned, that they are required to report themselves to the health authorities with immediate effect and failure of which will lead to serious consequences, including the publication of names and identifying information of all those at large.

“Therefore, all positive cases should self-report by calling the following numbers (1025; 3011261; 3632098), and those travelers who entered into the country and are yet to undergo sample collection must immediately report to Metzy Hotel or call the aforementioned numbers for further clarification.

“The Ministry would like to stress that this serious and ruthless misconduct will no longer be condoned under any circumstances. Anyone found not willing to cooperate with COVID-19 regulations will have their names and identifying information published on the media and thereafter, drastic measures will be taken against anyone that is non-compliant.

“Accordingly, the public is hereby reminded that the Public Health Emergency Act (Dangerous Infectious Diseases) Protection Regulations 2020 empowers the Minister or Officers acting under his authority to take strict measures as to when and where necessary.

“We urge the public to become more cautious and adhere to the advised safety precautions especially that with regard to social distancing, wearing of face masks in public and avoiding large gatherings.”

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