By Fatou Camara II

The people of Pipeline who live on Imam Morro Street have called on the National Roads Authority to come to their aid over their street road.

DLEAG has its offices on the street who improved the road by putting gravel on it and compacting it.

And cars fleeing heavy traffic are now using the road causing distress to the people who live on the street.

The cars often overspeed but they also blow away a lot of dust as they pass, one resident told The Fatu Network. It’s only a matter of time before a car hits someone, he said.

On January 6, the people of Pipeline wrote to the director general of National Roads Authority to help end their suffering.

In their letter seen by The Fatu Network, the residents want the NRA to build speed bumps on the road.

Drug Law Enforcement Agency has said one Sheriff Njie is in the custody of the agency following a huge drug seizure.

The DLEAG on Thursday dramatically seized over two tons of cocaine at the port worth over 4.5 billion dalasis. It’s the biggest drug catch in the country in recent time. The nation’s other huge drug bust is the Bonto incident back in 2010 where at least two tons of cocaine was confiscated.

According to the DLEAG in a statement on Friday, the cocaine seized on Thursday January 7 was concealed in a container filled with salt which arrived in the country on December 27 alongside three other containers.

“All the four container were shipped by ECU WORLDWIDE ECUADOR SA and consigned to BOLLORE TRANSPORT and LOGISTICS as their local partner.

“However, an in-house Bill of Lading was issued by ECU WORLDWIDE to the actual consignee (CIRCUIT LONG TRADING CLT (Ltd) with Mr Sherif Njie as the contact person. Mr Sheriff Njie currently in custody helping in the investigation while the hunt for MR BANTA KEITA continue,” the DLEAG said in a statement.

The United States Ambassador to The Gambia Richard Carl Paschall has issued a statement over the US Capitol Hill events.

Below is Ambassador Paschall’s statement in full:

I am grateful for the many messages of support received from our Gambian friends and partners as we all watched with profound dismay and anger the unacceptable effort of a few to undermine through mob violence the decision of the many American people who voted in record numbers in our November election. They did not succeed.

The United States Congress reconvened a few short hours later, completed its Constitutionally mandated count of the Electoral College vote and affirmed the election by the United States of America’s citizens of Joseph R. Biden, Jr. and Kamala D. Harris as our nation’s next President and Vice President. They will be sworn into office and a peaceful transfer of power will occur on January 20, 2021.

Freedom of speech and expression are cornerstone rights of Americans under our Constitution – but to paraphrase President-Elect Biden, this was not dissent; it was disorder and lawlessness by a small number of extremists. Leaders from across the American political spectrum have called for those who used the right of peaceful protest as a cover for violent destruction to be held accountable in accordance with the rule of law.

Gambians and Americans share the fundamental belief that only a government of the people, by the people, and for the people can truly succeed. The United States is always striving to “…form a more perfect union…” and it is a task that never ends in citizen-led democracies.

I echo Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo’s sentiment that “America is better than what we saw today,” and I remain committed to my oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States – an oath I first took 30 years ago this October – and I will continue to well and faithfully serve my country and the democratic values shared by Gambians and Americans alike.

The clerk of the National Assembly has been taken to court over a so-called 54 million dalasis loan scheme MPs approved for themselves.

MPs last year came under huge criticism after they went ahead to borrow themselves taxpayers’ money under the 2021 budget running into millions of dalasis.

Two leading CSO groups, Gambia Participates and Centre for Research and Policy Development, have now mounted a legal challenge on the decision.

The groups on December 28 filed a lawsuit at the Supreme Court seeking the top court to decalre that the amendment done by the National Assembly by including a budget line item of D54.4 million is “in contravention of sections 151,152 and 155 of the Constitution and a violation of section 47 of the Public Finance Act, 2014”.

The groups also want a declaration that the approval of the annual estimates of revenue and expenditure for the year 2021 with the inclusion of the sum of D54.4 million as loan to National Assembly Members and staff of the National Assembly service was a ‘usurpation’ of the powers given to the President in section 152 of the Constitution and a violation of clause 70 of the Standing Orders of the National Assembly.

The groups sued the cleark of the national assembly alongside the auditor general, ministry of finance and the attorney general.

The groups want an order directing the Auditor General not to grant approval for the withdrawal of the sum of D54.4 million or any part of it by the National Assembly or the National Assembly Service.

They also want an order directing the Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs not to pay from the Consolidated Fund or any Fund of the government the sum of D54.4 million or any money at all to the National Assembly members or staff of the National Assembly Service as loan pursuant to the approved estimates of revenue and expenditure of the Government for the year 2021.

Also, they want an order severing and striking down the part of the Appropriation Act authorizing the payment of the sum of D54.4 million as loan to the National Assembly Members and staff of the National Assembly Service.

Gambia Participates and Centre for Research and Policy Development also want an injunction against the Clerk of the National Assembly and the National Assembly restraining them from raising warrants or preparing payment vouchers or any document that would facilitate the processing of the payment of the sum of D54.4 million or any part of it to the staff of the National Assembly Service and the National Assembly members.

DLEAG is asking for information from members of the public about a person of interest of Banta Keita.

The nation’s anti-drug agency announced on Friday it has seized cocaine worth over 4.5 billion dalasis at the port on Thursday January 7.

According to DLEAG, initial investigation suggests the containers belong to one Banta Keita, “holder of a French passport #17CE91360”.

“According to the passport biodata, he was born on 3rd January 1984. He is a resident of Fajara M Section, Kanifing Municipality,” DLEAG said in a statement.

The agency in asking the public for vital information about him said: “We strongly advise the general public to vigilant and solicit their cooperation to provide information on whereabout of Mr BANTA KEITA to the nearest DLEAG/Police Station.

“The public is reminded that offering any type assistance to Mr Keita to escape or harboring him amount to a criminal offence as provided the Drug Control Act, 2003.”

Top Imam Abdoulie Fatty has stated people always talk about rape but they should also speak to women against wearing tight-fitting clothes.

“You know they talk about rape but you’re going [out] and make this [clothe] tight on your backside like a woman who has dressed to go to her husband. You are in the street walking. Why can’t they ask those people too to change?” the former State House Imam speaking on HillTop radio on Thursday argued.

According to the Imam, women who wear clothes that hide their anatomy wield greater respect than those who do not.

The Imam said: “If you uncover a meat before flies, they must land on it. We shouldn’t deceive ourselves. We should not try to turn the impossible to the possible. Women should sutura (cover) themselves.

“They should ask those who cover themselves. You have a lot of respect when you cover yourself and go out. And they’re talking saying people should not look at them, people should not talk to them.”

Bakau’s Kaddy Bah Sidibeh has asked President Adama Barrow to take to bed to sleep promising victory for the president in Bakau.

The president held a meeting in Bakau on Wednesday as part of his nationwide tour of the country. Bakau is a UDP stronghold.

But speaking at the meeting, Kaddy Bakau Sidideh: “It’s your Iron Lady Kaddy Bah Sidibeh greeting you all. I’m a politician and anyone who knows me knows I’m a politician.

“Operation Nyayelleh (open your eyes) has arrived. Let’s stop politics of deceit. The president we have is a president who is working.

“It’s God who sent him to us and he is here on a mission. So we should accept him as Gambians. So President Adama, in 2021 [election], if you hear Weew, it will be President Adama Barrow.”

Government spokesperson Ebrima G Sankareh has issued a statement where he claimed ‘saboteurs’ are trying to undermine President Barrow’s Banjul meeting on Friday evening.

Sankareh said: “Contrary to a report trending on Social Media announcing a night-time curfew for 21 days effective tonight and purportedly issued by the Government Spokesperson, The Gambia Government wishes to clarify that the report is fatally false.

“Predictably, this is a desperate attempt by saboteurs to diminish the anticipated high capacity crowd at tonight’s grand welcoming of His Excellency, President Adama Barrow in Banjul.

“In fact, following remarkably successful meetings in Bullock Village, Foni Berefet Constituency and Kuloro in Kombo East last night, President Adama Barrow and his tour party are more energized for a spectacular grand welcome ceremony at Banjul’s Arch-22 tonight and nothing has changed in that programme.

“Crucially, citizens are warned that the use of Government insignia, symbols, emblems, letterheads and or documents to peddle false information calculated to undermine and or derail its function, is utterly criminal and punishable by law.

“Accordingly, The Gambia Government urges citizens, members of the Diplomatic and Consular Corps, residents and intending travelers into or outside of The Gambia to disregard this shameful piece of political propaganda.”

Mediation specialist and former president of Nigeria Dr Goodluck Jonathan has jetted back into the country to continue speaking to the nation’s political leaders towards a deal around the draft constitution.

MPs standing loyally by President Barrow last year voted against the draft constitution after they concluded it discriminated the Gambian leader.

But pressure on the government has prompted it to trigger fresh efforts towards shooting the country to a new constitution with President Barrow turning to Dr Goodluck Jonathan for a solution.

The former Nigeria leader was in the country last month to start finding a deal in which trip he met with the president as well as various stakeholders including political leaders, civil society and the media.

He announced he has arrived back in the country “to be part of the ongoing consultations for advancing the dialogue for a new constitution”. He jetted into the country Thursday afternoon.

NIA director general Ousman Sowe is addressing the TRRC as his testimony to the probe comes to an end.

“I want to align myself to the good and great work you’re doing for this country which will have far-reaching to the peace, security and development of this country,” he told the TRRC as he commenced his final address and after praying to God to save him from Satan.

Sowe is right now apologising to Gambians.

More follows…

By Sarjo Brito

Sheriff Jallow a Gambian migrant in Italy has been reported dead on Monday January 6th, 2021.

Details surrounding the death of Sheriff Jallow still remains sketchy but a friend who contacted The Fatu Network said they believe he died of natural causes.

The friend who contacted the network on condition of anonymity said the deceased had spent some time in an Italian prison and was released less than one month before his untimely demise.

According to our source, Jallow’s body is now with the Italian police who are conducting a post-mortem.

The origin and family of the deceased in Gambia is unknown to his friends in Italy and they are appealing to anyone who recognizes him to reach out to his family.

“We do not know where in Gambia he hailed from and we have no contact with any of his family members. We are desperately appealing to anyone who knows him to please reach out to his family. We do not have a choice but to turn to the media to help identify him. He lived in Turino,” the source said.

Red Black Nonsense columnist Latirr Carr has asked President Adama Barrow to call US president-elect Joe Biden and congratulate him on his election as US president.

Incumbent Donald Trump has been challenging the result of the Nov 3, 2020 US election which he lost to Joe Biden. And chaos erupted on Wednesday when his supporters stormed the US capitol prompting senators to flee to safety.

As the world treated itself to the madness, writer Latirr Carr who was affixed to the events wrote: “So for the first time in modern history, world leaders have an opportunity to ask an American President to respect the will of the people but they are all busy trying to understand the election process.

“President Adama Barrow must do the right thing; call President Elect Biden and congratulate him on his victory; send a video message to outgoing President Trump asking him to accept the will of the people.”

Carr then got a little silly: “[He should] show willingness to send troops to usher in a period of calm should The Donald continue to act the fool; request a meeting of ECOWAS, AU and UN Heads of State to look into the situation; [and] send an announcement through the Gambian Embassy in DC asking all Gambian citizens to remain calm and not to involve themselves in ANY activity that could be seen as provocative until the issue is settled.”

Ousman Sowe admitted tampering with evidence which TRRC attorney Essa Faal called ‘best proof’ at the National Intelligence Agency.

Sowe was installed as head of the National Intelligence Agency shortly after President Barrow took over power. The nation’s intelligence agency was the most bastardised in terms of human rights violations by former tyrant Yahya Jammeh.

But Sowe gave the NIA a face-lift, ripping apart whatever that pointed to the former leader’s crimes at the compound along the way.

He on Thursday went back and forth with Essa Faal over the issue and in the end said: “If by painting the room the evidence has been removed, yes I did. Yes I do.”

When Essa Faal told him whether he agreed what he did was the ‘classic’ definition of tampering with evidence, he said: “Yes I agree.” Sowe however maintained it was not done with any ill-motive.

“I don’t think I was reckless,” he told Essa Faal at one instance.

A forthright Essa Faal told him: “Let me put it brutally Mr Sowe: you violated all the rules in the book. This is evidence of human rights violation. This was going to be the best proof and you removed it. This is a blatant violation of all the rules in the book. I do not want to put it that way but you had to push me. But this is egregious.”

Sowe responded that “If I had known that this is what it will turn out to be, I would not have touched that bed.”

“Well I feel sad to have to remind you that ignorance of the law is no excuse especially for a person of your stature,” Mr Faal blasted back.

The Independent Electoral Commission has been forced into clearing the air about the reasons behind the voter registration postponement.

The IEC was supposed to commence registering voters for the presidential election in December but it brought itself flaks this week when it announced a delay in the exercise.

The IEC only stopped at ‘logistical challenges’ informing the move – even as it refused to speak to the media on it.

A huge backlash has now forced the commission to clarify saying it “is hindered by the lack of clearance from the GPPA which is required before the release of funds by the Ministry of Finance”.

The IEC and Gambia Public Procurement Authority have been at war over who should supply the former electoral materials.

The IEC wants to hand the contract to a company it identified for itself while the GPPA wants the contract tendered.

The ministry of health has announced 21 new cases of coronavirus have been registered, the biggest number in over five weeks.

The government has for over a month reported only a couple of COVID-19 cases – as restrictions got eased and life appeared to be moving back to normal.

But the health ministry said in its latest situation report 21 new cases have been registered bringing the total number of COVID-19 cases ever confirmed in the country to 3,833.

“This is the highest single-day number of cases recorded in over 5 weeks. The median age of the new cases (14 male and 7 female) is 37 (range: 11 to 59 years),” the ministry said.

It comes as President Barrow enters the final day of his nationwide tour of the country where he has been holding meetings that often attracted large crowds. In the meetings, Gambians often do not wear face masks and social distancing too proves difficult.

UDP spokesman Almamy Taal has said there was no mistake in inviting the leader of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at to lead Muslims in prayers at UDP’s congress last month.

Fellow UDP member Momodou Sabally claimed the MC made an error in asking Baba Trawally to pray at the event ‘who he later tried to correct’. Sabally also said it was wrong to ask an Ahmadi to pray on behalf of mainstream Muslims.

Taal spoke on the claims on Tuesday where he insisted there was no error or mistake, totally contradicting Sabally’s claims.

Taal said: “It was not an error. The Ahmadis are Gambians, they’re Muslims, they call themselves Muslims. We are not having a religious gathering at the congress. Congress happens every two years and we asked for the prayers and blessings of the event. There was no congregational prayer.

“We asked for Christian prayers, we asked for Muslim prayers, we asked for all prayers so that our program, our activity happens in peace. Anybody suggesting that it was an error or a mistak obviously is not aware of what goes into…

“They were invited like all religious denominations and quite frankly we don’t know which prayer is going to be answered and we don’t presume to speak between faiths. We are a political party and we believe we are the majority political party.

“Therefore every Gambian of every religious denomination is entitled to offer prayers to the United Democratic Party. I hope that we will be more tolerant others who are not prophesing our own version of Islam and make sure that when we deal with issues of faith we are very measured and we stop trying to be intolerant or to become bigoted one way or the other.”

Moments after Taal’s comments, Momodou Sabally took to Facebook to respond to his UDP compatriot.

“This kind of statement is both shameful and unfortunate. I Momodou Sabally hereby completely dissociate myself from everything that Almame Taal said in this video,” Sabally said.

Tallinding lawmaker Fatoumatta Jawara has astonishingly asked President Adama Barrow to bring former President Yahya Jammeh and appoint him his defence minister.

Jawara is locked in an all-out war with UDP since her sacking by the party and speaking at President Barrow’s meeting in Ebo Town on Tuesday, the lawmaker took the war to a whole new level by saying Jammeh should be brought back home to restrain UDP leader Darboe.

Jawara said, amid people such as Hamat Bah walking to her and begging her to change her tone: “But if a political leader stands and say he’s has regretted changing Yahya Jammeh for President Barrow, I felt sad and embarassed and realised I have become lonely, that what keeps me company which is politics is being destroyed.

“The situation that has now enabled ministers to sit here and not be worried about getting arrested if they leave this meeting. We escaped that. A situation which made it possible for Jaliba Kuyateh to play here and also play in opposition meetings [without any fear]. Anyone can speak in the media and a lot of things. We escaped all of that (threats). If you say you prefer that person.

“President Barrow as a victim of Jammeh atrocities, I want you to bring Yahya Jammeh and place him at Pipeline gate and ask him to face that compound so that we can be saved from all these talks. Or you bring him and make him defence minister.”