By Dawda Baldeh

Ousainou Darboe, leader of the main opposition United Democratic Party, has called on Gambians to start making audios requesting President Adama Barrow to return the land allocated to him by the Ministry of Lands, Regional Government and Religious Affairs.

Darboe said the land allocated to the President belongs to the Chief Justice.

Speaking at the ongoing UDP Diaspora Convention in Spain, the UDP boss admitted that land was allocated to his wife and daughter, noting it was done with due process.

“If you know you are a Gambian and you love this country, let’s stand and demand Barrow to return our land.

“Make audio (s) every day and send it to WhatsApp groups. We have to do this for Barrow to return our land,” Darboe said.

Speaking further on the land allocated to his wife and daughter, Darboe explained that his wife was a principal at Gambia Hotel School and that she had trained a lot of people. However, responding to Barrow allocating land for his family, he said: “Just a mere land and every Gambian has a right to have a land, you think you have done something for me.”

“I challenge you (Barrow) to bring evidence of how you got the land which is the Chief Justice’s residence. The allocation did not follow due process, and you must return the land,” he said.

Darboe clarified that his daughter’s land allocation was done with due process, and claimed he never used his influence to get her the land.

“Let Barrow produce evidence of how my daughter got the land without due process and she will return the land even if we will go to Bansang or Dobo to get land for her,” he said.

He further told party supporters in Spain that his wife and daughter got their land at a time when he wasn’t in the government.

“Tell us how your wives and children get their lands. Show us evidence of due process.

You are sitting on corruption. That’s why you will never provide evidence on what I’m challenging you to do,” Darboe said.

He added: “Whenever I speak about your corruption, it feels like hellfire in your heart.

“You must return that land, and I am calling on every Gambia to make that demand,” he added.

Darboe further suggested Gambians protest for the return of the land.

He accused Barrow of not being willing to admit his faults.

“He should tell Gambians it was a mistake but he’s not ready to do that,” he suggested.

By Alieu Jallow

The mosque committee of the Brikama Jamisa-Nilakoto community is seeking financial and material assistance to complete the refurbishing of their central mosque.

According to the community, the mosque has been undergoing massive refurbishment since February 2021.

The community decried serious leakage during the rainy season and lack of adequate capacity to accommodate up to fifty people during congregational prayers which prompted them to commence resizing the mosque however the pace of work has been very slow and thus facing difficulties performing daily and congregational prayers.

Pa Modou Sillah, the chairman of the mosque committee, said the number of inhabitants of the community has over time increase therein leading them to extend the size of the mosque in so doing they have since 2021 tasked them to contribute and buy materials but lately encountered financial fatigue from their community members.

“We are tired of asking our own people to contribute after initially tasking them to pay each a thousand dalasis plus whatever an individual has. So, we are appealing for help from anyone because when it rains worshipers can’t have a place to even sit and perform their obligatory prayers, so we are seeking for your support ‘fisabilliahi’,” he appealed.

Re-echoing his colleague’s sentiment, Lamin Bojang, the Alkalo f Jamia, noted that support is all they need at this pointing in time as the rainy season gets to its peak.

“We are seeking support in cash or kind to enable us to complete the mosque which is why even the adjustment done on the mosque is built within the perimeter of the mosque. This is why we couldn’t demolish the old, dilapidated mosque to build a new mosque,” he said.

Ebrima Ceesay, the deputy Imam of the mosque, emphasised the teaching of Islam in supporting the cause of Islam, and pleaded with the Muslim ummah to come to their aid.

“We are seeking support from our fellow Muslims of any kind or amount for the sake of the Almighty Allah.

The mosque committee and community have called on Gambians home and abroad to support their cause and open any form of donation either in cash or kind. Anyone wishing to support them can kindly reach out to them on 2109966, 7050464, 7788099, and 5919282. Bank account number: Eco Bank 6280515034.

By Dawda Baldeh

Musa Ousainou Yali Batchilly, the leader of Gambia Action Party (GAP), has called on African leaders to prevent a repeat of an event like the assassination of former Libyan President Muammar Gaddafi, amid Western influence in the region’s politics.

The leader GAP was responding to a statement by US Senator Mr. Gate, who threatened that the US would use military power to forcefully dislodge the Presidents in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso.

He described the US senator’s comments as a strong warning.

“The African Union and African Presidents need to brace up and emancipate themselves from neocolonialism.

“This call for unity and resistance arises in response to recent disturbing and worrying remarks made by US Senator Mr. Gate,” he said.

In a video obtained by this median, Mr. Gate threatened that America will use military force to dislodge the presidents of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, describing these leaders as “thugs and useless.”

GAP leader said such comments are not only disrespectful but also highlight a continued pattern of neocolonial interference and aggression towards African nations.

“African presidents must never allow a repeat of what happened to Muammar Gaddafi of Libya in any African state.

“The tragic downfall of Gaddafi, orchestrated by Western powers under the guise of promoting democracy, left Libya in chaos and should serve as a stark reminder of the consequences of external meddling,” he said.

Batchilly urged African leaders to stand firm against these threats and protect the sovereignty and dignity of their nations.

He criticized the West, especially America and France, saying they should focus on addressing their internal issues, such as rampant racism and religious intolerance, rather than imposing their will on African countries.

According to GAP, the Western interest in Africa has always been driven by selfish and egocentric motives, valuing the continent only for its resources and strategic importance.

He stressed that Africans must unite and assert their independence, refusing to be pawns in the geopolitical games of Western powers.

“The future of the continent depends on the collective strength and resilience of its leaders and people.

Let this be a call to action for all African nations to rise together, for only through unity can we secure our rightful place in the world and ensure a prosperous future for generations to come,” he said.

By: Mama A. Touray

The Brikama Area Council Cashier, Amadou Touray, admitted before the ongoing local government commission of inquiry that he unlawfully withdrew D100 million of council funds without following due processes.

Touray made this admission when Lead Counsel Patrick Gomez questioned him about his withdrawals from the respective accounts of the council. Lead Counsel Gomez told him, “The withdrawals were unlawful” and that there were no supporting documents for the withdrawals, to which he admitted, “Yes, Counsel, the withdrawals were all unlawful.”

Amadou further admitted that he is responsible for the unlawful withdrawal. When asked by Counsel Gomez, “You are responsible,” he replied, “Yes, Counsel.”

For the Supersonics Microfinance Account, the witness on 7th February 2024 withdrew D400,000. When questioned about what the money was meant for, he said, “I don’t think I will be able to remember that because I was only issued a cheque to make the withdrawal.”

Gomez put it to him, “If you cannot account for this, it suggests that payment was made to you for your own benefit,” which he admitted. On 7th June 2021, he withdrew D213,000; on 12th February 2022, he withdrew D200,000 and further withdrew D500,000 from the Supersonics account of the Brikama Area Council on the same day. The witness was asked to account for each of those withdrawals.

Reacting to this, Touray said, “What I can recall is that it will be either for council expenses or payment or salaries.”

For the council’s Eco Bank account, the witness in 2019 withdrew D10,000; in 2020, he withdrew over D12.6 million; in 2021, he withdrew over D14.1 million; in 2022, he withdrew over D16.7 million; and in 2023, he withdrew over D15.5 million. He told the commission that none of those withdrawals followed due process. He further testified that the withdrawals were unlawful.

For the Vista Bank account of the Brikama Area Council, the witness withdrew over D320,000 in 2020, over D14.4 million in 2021, over D27.1 million in 2022, and over D2.16 million in 2023. He admitted that none of those withdrawals followed due process and that the withdrawals were unlawful.

For the GTBank account of the Brikama Area Council, the witness withdrew D673,968.45 in 2020; over D3.3 million in 2021; over D9.6 million in 2022; and over D1.4 million in 2023.

For the Trust Bank account of the Brikama Area Council, the witness in 2021 withdrew over D12.8 million, and in 2022, he withdrew over D14 million.

At this point, the witness was referred to the Financial Manual on salary payments and other council expenses. The manual demands that the financial officers and staff of the finance unit must ensure adequate care is taken when making expenses by adhering to the processes laid down, especially for salary payments and other council expenditures. The manual indicates procedures to be taken at each stage, including how to make withdrawals and payments.

By Dawda Baldeh

The Chair of the Board of Commissioners at The Gambia Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (GCCPC), Yassin Senghore, revealed during a press conference on Thursday that I-Care Optic and Gam Petroleum have been found to breach the Competition Act 2007.

The GCCPC Chair told the media that on the 16th of February 2024, the board convened a hearing on an investigation report that alleged a breach of the Competition Act.

“I-Care Optic was found in breach of the Competition Act 2007 and directed to desist from any attempt of market concentration and market sharing,” she said.

Meanwhile, Ms. Senghore, further revealed that Gam Petroleum was also found in breach of the Act due to abuse of dominance.

“Our investigations revealed Gam Petroleum Storage Facility Company was in breach of Section 31 of the Competition Act 2007,” she added.

The commission officials informed journalists that they are taking a series of initiatives to ensure consumers are protected from all forms of market abuse.

The commission has reportedly issued policy advice to the Public Regulatory Authority regarding the breach of the Act and emphasized the urgent need to develop a depot allocation mechanism to avert some of the competition issues revealed during their investigations.

Ms. Senghore further informed journalists that the commission had met the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy and PURA, where they discussed the findings of their investigations and made recommendations.

By Alieu Jallow

Justice Sidi K. Jobarteh of the Banjul High Court has questioned Lawyer Sagarr C.T. Twum’s legal professional fitness following her conduct during a court proceeding. The presiding judge, who is presiding over Kumba Sinyan vs. the State, found counsel Sagarr’s actions to be disrespectful and questioned whether the said counsel is fit to be a legal professional. The question arose following the counsel’s statement regarding how the court is handling her client, Kumba Sinyan, who is standing murder trial.

Following the court’s verdict to overrule the defense’s application for adjournment, as well as the overruling for the client to answer a question in open court, counsel Sagarr declined to proceed with her case and equally advised her client, Kumba Sinyan, to remain silent. This action prompted Justice Sidi K. Jobarteh to consider forwarding the matter to the General Legal Council for disciplinary actions to be taken against her and advised that the accused shouldn’t pay the price for her counsel’s actions.

During the proceedings, the defense for the accused (Kumba Sinyan) filed an application to have the mobile phone go through the contact list. This application was granted by the presiding judge. Defense Counsel asked her client regarding her earlier statement about the taxi driver whose phone number was saved in the phone and tendered.

“Do you have his number and what is his name?” lawyer Sagarr asked.

Kumba Sinyan replied, “Yes! Babucarr Mbye.”

“What is his number?” Sagarr asked.

“76×××××××,” Sinyan answered.

The presiding Judge, Justice K. Jobarteh, requested the phone and pointed out that the name in the phone is saved differently from the name Babucarr Mbye. At this point, Kumba Sinyan acknowledged that she saved it as Babucarr Taxi.

The presiding judge reminded the defense that it is in the middle of her defense and asked if she wished to have witnesses in her defense. The defense responded in the affirmative, prompting the judge to request the names and contacts of the witnesses in court, which sparked a debate.

After an argument between the counsel for the accused and the presiding judge on the names and numbers of the witnesses she intended to rely on being read, the presiding judge insisted for the defense to reveal the names and numbers of the accused’s witnesses in open court since the question was raised in court.

At this juncture, Lawyer Sagarr C.T. Twum sought an adjournment to advise her client on how she intends to conduct their defense. The state prosecution counsel, M. Sanyang, objected to the adjournment, noting that the defense was given ample time to open their defense without any interference. She further argued that the defense was in possession of the phone for almost three days, hence giving them the upper hand to extract any information they intended to rely on in the trial, thus perceiving the defense’s move as a tactic to procrastinate the trial.

The case was adjourned to Thursday, 24th October, at 10:00 am for continuation.

By: Alieu Jallow

The Pensioners Association of The Gambia, on Tuesday, 23rd July, called on the management of the Social Security and Housing Cooperation to allocate office space to better enhance their relationship with their pensioners. They made this appeal during a meeting with the management meant to foster cooperation and to extend their heartfelt gratitude for the significant milestones the cooperation has achieved.

Sheikh Amad Jaw, the Social Secretary of the Pensioners Association, discussed how the office space would help them stay connected and address issues affecting their daily lives, especially at the end of the month.

“When we receive our allowances at Social Security, this is the space we used to meet, talk, and see each other. Now, we are scattered; some are in the banks and some with Yonna. We don’t have time to meet. At least if we are receiving our allowance here at Social Security, we can meet each other, share concerns, and know if someone is sick or has passed away,” he stated.

Alieu Faal, President of the Association, noted that they felt the need for the meeting, emphasizing that, as partners, they cannot remain passive without participating in the development strides at the cooperation. He commended them for the bonus payment and Tobaski loan extended to them.

Alphonso Mendy, the Public Relations Officer of the Association, highlighted the need for increased support for bedridden pensioners, citing a rise in their numbers.

“It’s really shocking when we visit and see some of them in their conditions. For some, health is a blessing, but others can’t get out of bed. Although what you have estimated for them is appreciated, we feel that as a committee, we would like management to continue and increase this support. We have received half bags of rice and sugar, and we wish for full bags of each as we rely on you to distribute these items,” he said.

Responding to their plea, Mr. Saloum Malang, the Managing Director of SSHC, outlined the constraints they face with space but assured them of their efforts to address their request.

“I know you need office space to discuss matters affecting you, but because office space may not be feasible now, we will look into it. As an alternative, we are going digital, so I encourage you to create a WhatsApp group as an alternative,” he suggested.

Mr. Malang affirmed their commitment to prioritizing their welfare, noting that they will leave no stone unturned in adding value to their welfare. Officials believe this meeting will pave the way for advancing development agendas, following improved claim processing times compared to the past and strong financial performance leading to bonus payments.

—

By Alieu Jallow

The Director of Prosecution, on July 30th, closed its case on the Sukuta-Jabang Police shooting incident after an intense year of hearings. The state initially filed 24 witnesses but decided to close their case after 13 witnesses had testified, with the 14th witness not being available.

On September 12th, 2023, three members of the police anti-crime unit were shot at the Sukuta-Jabang traffic, leading to the death of two young police officers, Constable Sang J. Mendy and Constable Pateh Jallow, while Constable Ancy Jawo sustained grievous bodily harm. After 24 hours of investigations, Ousainou Bojang was arrested as the prime suspect and his sister Amie Bojang as an accomplice. Ousainou Bojang was charged with two counts of murder, one count of attempted murder, one count of prohibition of acts of terrorism, and one count of grievous bodily harm. The second accused, Amie Bojang, was charged with accessory after the fact and arraigned before Justice Ebrima Jaiteh of the Banjul High Court.

AM Yusuf, representing the state, informed the court that they are closing their case on PW 13.

In his response, counsel Lamin J. Darboe, defense for the first accused person (Ousainou Bojang), noted that the prosecution had not proven their case beyond reasonable doubt and thus argued that the defense had no case to answer. Similarly, LK Mboge, defense for the second accused person, referred to his learned colleague’s argument, noting that the DPP should also file a no-case submission for the second accused.

Counsel Mboge raised the motion for a bail application filed in September 2023 for the second accused, in an originating sermon dated September 25th, 2023, for consideration, due to the fact that the second accused is a nursing mother. Counsel Mboge urged the court to consider her plight, as she is a mother of seven, with the youngest now 1 year and 6 months old. Counsel noted that the bail application has been lying fallow for a year and, as the court is set to go on vacation, he humbly urged them to grant her bail pending the ruling on the no-case submission. He further argued that the filing of briefs and rulings will take up to the next term.

In his response, the DPP cited that the bail application has been overtaken by events, and with the prosecution closing its case alongside the second accused, it might prove unattainable.

Responding to the DPP’s submissions on the bail application for the second accused being overtaken by events, counsel Mboge disagreed, citing that Section 99 of the Constitution states that bail can be granted at any time.

The state and defense counsels have unanimously agreed to file their briefs within 30 days, and the defense will respond within the same period.

The case was adjourned to October 8, 2024, at 1 pm for the submission of briefs.