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Six Nigerians Returned to Mile Two

Mon, 12 Nov 2007 06:55:19 GMT

Monday, November 12, 2007

Following Setback in Their Trial

Six Nigerian nationals were yesterday returned to the State Central Prison in Banjul as their trial over drug trafficking charges suffered yet another delay.

The Brikama Magistrates’ Court was expected to begin hearing testimonies in the trial of the six suspected drug dealers but trial proceedings could not proceed because the lawyer for the suspects was not in court.

The six; Amachukwu Okarbi, Samuel Nwaiwa, Okafor Francis Paul, Clement Ifeanyi Obiorah, James Nicholas and Edeh Banke Anthony were sometime this year arrested at the Banjul International Airport on suspicion of attempting to smuggle various quantities of cocaine from The Gambia.

The case resumes next week.

Author: By Abdoulie Nyockeh

Source: The Point

Voir Dire in Alleged MFDC Rebels’ Trial

Mon, 12 Nov 2007 06:51:55 GMT

Monday, November 12, 2007

Banjul Magistrates’ Court presided over by Magistrate B.Y. Camara yesterday heard a trial within a trial in the ongoing case of the nine Senegalese nationals from the southern region of Casamance. The men, alleged to be rebels belonging to the MFDC movement in Casamance, have been standing trial on various charges.

The state prosecution earlier on attempted to tender the cautionary statements of the 1st accused, Sidat Jarju, and that of the 2nd accused, Ebrima Colley, but the accused persons objected to the tendering of their cautionary statements on the grounds that they were made to make the statement under duress.

Testifying on the mini trial, Lang Borry Sanneh, a security officer, told the court that he knew the 1st and 2nd accused persons. He adduced that in January this year “we received a classified information that some Senegalese people from the region of Casamance and were members of the MFDC were operating illegally in The Gambia. After receiving the said information a team was selected to investigate the matter.”

Further testifying, Officer Sanneh revealed that during the investigation they were able to apprehend the 2nd accused Ebrima Colley at Sinchu Alhagie. After effecting the arrest of the 2nd accused, he added, “we conducted a search at his house where some items were recovered before taking him to Willingara police station, and later to the NIA headquarters for questioning.” The security operative also informed the court that the 1st accused was also arrested on the same day at Willingara. Whereupon, he added, “we conducted a search at his house where some items were recovered before taking him to Willingara police station and later to the NIA for questioning.” He further stated that during the course of arresting the suspects, they were not beaten in any way.

Also testifying on the mini trial, detective Salifu Nyang said that he obtained the cautionary statements of the two accused persons in the presence of an independent witness called Tijan Bah. He said during the process of obtaining the suspects’ statements, they willingly and freely gave their statements without any force, beating or any form of torture on them.

Detective Nyang, further adduced that prior to obtaining their statements, the accused persons appeared before the panel on multiple but separate days. At the panel, he went on, they were questioned on where they came from, what they were doing in The Gambia, the purpose of the 3m CFA francs they received from the Senegalese government per month, 7, 790,000 CFA, 1000 euros, a Laptop, photo camera, cash book, two motor bikes, the sets of military camouflage and a bag of talisman. He said the accused persons answered some question but failed to answer others.

The case was at that point adjourned to 14th November 07 for continuation.

Author: By Modou Sanyang & Bakary Samateh

Source: The Point

More Ambassadors Present Letters of Credence

Mon, 12 Nov 2007 06:42:44 GMT

Monday, November 12, 2007

The presentation of letters of credence by four ambassadors from the European Union, Austria, the Kingdom of Malaysia and the Islamic republic of Mauritania to President Alhaji Dr. Yahya Jammeh at State House in Banjul on Tuesday has proved to be the forerunner to a flurry of similar ceremonies. Wednesday saw the presentation of a lot more of letters of credence from diplomats of the same status. They are Guiseppe Calvetta of Italy, Muhamed Gamal Eldin Muhamed Eleish of Egypt, Takashi Saito of Japan and Georgaountz Osgeorges of Greece.

The latest group, whose presentation took place yesterday, consisted of Ms. Maria Munira Ribeiro from Guinea Bissau, Messrs. Georges Godart of Belgium, Jean Christophe Rufin of France, Vincent Boule of Gabon, Dr. Muhammed Al- Doukali of the Islamic Republic of Libya and Antonio Augusto Montenegro Vieira Cardoso of Portugal.

Accordingly, immediately after their meetings with the president, all the ambassadors reassured their good will to strengthen and reinforce the bilateral cooperation between their respective countries and The Gambia.

Source: The Point

Yankuba Touray Takes Charge of National Assembly Matters

Fri, 09 Nov 2007 01:07:35 GMT

Friday, November 09, 2007

According to a press release from the Office of the President relayed on GRTS radio yesterday, President Jammeh, in accordance with powers vested in him under section 72 (9) of the constitution, has decided to shift the responsibility of National Assembly matters from the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Crispin Grey Johnson, to the Secretary of State for Fisheries and Water Resources, Retired Captain Yankuba Touray, with effect from Wednesday 7th November 2007.

Source: The Point

I Was Sex-starved - Convict Tells Court

Mon, 05 Nov 2007 09:11:10 GMT

Monday, November 05, 2007

A Banjulinding youth, Lamin Fatty, late last week startlingly told the Brikama Magistrates’ Court that he had been incarcerated for quite a while and had consequently grown sex-starved thus forcing him to attempt rape.

Lamin was recently found guilty of attempting to rape a girl in the outskirts of Banjulinding and could now spend another three years in jail if the verdict delivered by magistrate Edrisa Mbai could be any guide.

Before the verdict was handed down, the convict told the court that his action was in response to a strong desire to quench his sexual desire, having been incarcerated for a time. He, therefore, made a passionate appeal to the presiding magistrate to show him grace and temper justice with mercy.

But to magistrate Mbai, who clearly saw no justification for rape, justice must take its course as enshrined in law books and cherished by many. He consequently convicted Lamin and sentenced him to serve three years in jail without any option of fine.

Meanwhile, adducing the facts of the matter, the prosecution officer 413 Sanyang, narrated that the incident happened sometime last month at the periphery of Banjulinding when Lamin fell on a girl (name withheld) and attempted to have sex with her.

Author: By Abdoulie Nyockeh

Source: The Point

BCC, KMC New Interim Chairmen Speak

Mon, 05 Nov 2007 09:05:31 GMT

Monday, November 05, 2007

The two newly appointed interim Chairmen of Banjul City Council (BCC) and Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC), Messrs. Alieu Mboge and Gibou Jagne respectively, spoke to this reporter about their new status. The two were appointed by President Jammeh last Thursday barely a day after the amendment of the Local Government Act, in accordance with the requirement to dissolve and then set up interim management teams 90 days prior to local government elections. The teams are to be in charge of the affairs of the councils until such time that elections are held.

Speaking to this paper shortly after their appointment, Mr. Gibou Jagne, a onetime parliamentarian for 21 years in the first republic, said: “I think it is normal. I am very grateful to the president for his consideration in appointing me. I hope to do well. With the experience I have, considering that I have been a member of parliament for 21 years, I don’t think it is going to be a difficult thing for me. After all it is a matter of serving my own very self. I think it is also an obligation I owe to the president who, without my seeking it, appointed me to this very high post.”

Mr. Jagne indicated that his priorities would be to see to it that the municipality is united as one family in addition to securing cleanliness among others things.

For his part, Mr. Alieu Mboge said that his priorities could not be tabulated because development has to be general, conceding that the appointment is a challenge to him. “Well I must first say that it is not a surprise, but rather something that has come my way, and is a challenge which I pray to have the strength to do it as it is the most important. I also pray to have the support of not only the electorate but the entire Banjulians.

“The task is enormous, all of which have to do with the development of Banjul. The president is very concerned about Banjul. It is the capital and we have to make it a modern city. That is the task that we have been given and we will do it to our best.”

Meanwhile it has been gathered that the Governors within whose administration the other dissolved councils lie have been put in charge of the interim management teams.

It would be recalled that the Local Government elections are slated for January 24, 2008.

Author: By Abba A.S. Gibba

Source: The Point

Gamtel/Gamcel Gets New Boss

Sun, 04 Nov 2007 03:58:08 GMT

Sunday, November 04, 2007

This paper has learnt through competent sources that one Mr Michael Ten has been appointed Managing Director of Gamtel/Gamcel, the two national telecommunications companies half of which have recently been sold to Spectrum Company.

It could be recalled that both Mr Katim Touray, former Managing Director of Gamtel, and Mr Foday Sisay, former Managing Director of Gamcel, got their marching orders following the sale of the two companies in August.

Source: The Point

National Assembly Dissects Amended Local Government Act

Sun, 04 Nov 2007 03:56:39 GMT

Sunday, November 04, 2007

During the debate on the Local Government Act (Amendment) bill 2007 at the National Assembly, National Assembly members on Wednesday argued over the technicalities surrounding the bill seeking to empower the president to take charge of the affairs of all area councils and municipalities in the country.

In his constitution to the debate on the proposed amendment of the act, Hon. Sidia Jatta, NAM for Wuli West and a NADD bigwig, described the move as a conspiracy against the powers of the people.

“The fundamental objective of the new Local Government act is to empower the people to make it possible for them to effectively and actively participate in the management of their own affairs but this is being taken away from them,” he said, adding that this particular amendment has come to make local government elections absolutely unnecessary.

According to Hon. Jatta, the sovereignty of the people is being assassinated in the National Assembly. “How on earth can an elected person be removed from office by an individual. What is the essence of elections then?” he enquired.

The Wuli West parliamentarian maintained his aversion to the amendment because, according to him, it does not serve the purpose for which the local government machinery is historically meant to play in the country, giving them the confidence to have the ability to manage their own affairs.

Hon Jatta went on to contend that he did not come into politics to contribute to any effort to rob the people of their powers. “I come into politics to help empower people to manage their affairs but not to disempowered them,” he noted.

Also contributing to the debate, Hon. Abba Sanyang of the ruling APRC party and member for Foni Kansala, described the bill as non-controversial. The bill, he said, is giving power to the people as it has always belonged to them.

According to the Foni Kansala parliamentarian, mandating the president to remove a mayor or mayoress is still giving power to the people because the amendment of the act is being done by members of the National Assembly who are representing their peoples.

For his part, Hon. Momodou L.K. Sanneh of the opposition United Democratic Party and Minority Leader, said that the move for the amendment of such an act should not be brought before the National Assembly as it is only going to overload the executive of the country.

“The removal of mayors and others should not be tabled before this Assembly. People have been purely elected on a popular majority vote and as a result it is unfair for the president to remove anybody,” Hon. Sanneh said. According to Hon. Sanneh, the National Assembly as a law making body should critically look into any law that comes into this country to ensure that it reflects the interest of the people.

“If the highest office in this country faces election, why not chairmen for that matter?” he required, adding that issues should be critically considered in the interest of the country and not any one party.

Author: By Baboucarr Senghore & Abba A.S. Gibba

FIB Pursues Defaulting Customers

Sun, 04 Nov 2007 03:53:39 GMT

Sunday, November 04, 2007

First International Bank, FIB, is apparently not taking issues with some of its defaulting customers lightly as the bank is now battling it out with them in the law-court.

FIB is, at present, struggling to recover several amounts of money owed it by some of its customers. The bank would also like interest paid on these loans.

Pastor Wilmot Johnson Cole had owed the bank an amount of D9, 236.91 and an interest of 25 per cent until such time that the money is fully paid.
Another customer, Sidi Sanneh, owed the bank D376, 273.97 at the interest rate of 25% whilst Umelo Georgina Valentine was said to have owed the bank an amount of D17, 213.18. Mr. Baara Ceesay (trading as Solid Engineering) owed the bank the sum of D98, 723.43.

The loans have, according to records, matured but the defendants had failed to settle them despite repeated demands.

Author: By Dawda Faye

Source: The Point

Ex-Agriculture Permanent Secretaries’ Economic Crime Case Resumes

Sun, 04 Nov 2007 03:48:29 GMT

Sunday, November 04, 2007

The trial of two former Permanent Secretaries of the Department of State for Agriculture, Dr. Badara Loum and Suruwa Jaiteh, resumed on Wednesday at the Banjul High Court. However the case, which was scheduled for mention before Justice Yemoa of the Banjul High Court, could not proceed as she was said to be out of the country.

It could be recalled that the two former Permanent Secretaries were charged with willfully or by omission or recklessly causing monetary loss to a public body contrary to section 5 (a) of the Economic Crimes Decree 1994, Decree No16 and punishable under section 6 of the same.

The particulars of the offence read that Dr. Badara Loum and Suruwa Jaiteh as Permanent Secretaries of the Department of State for Agriculture, between the months of April 2005 and December 2006, being the accounting officers thereof and entrusted with the responsibility of distributing and selling 47, 775 metric tonnes of NPK and 2, 229 metric tonnes of Urea fertilizer, valued at D51, 480, 100 willfully or by omission or recklessly handled same and thereby caused loss to the government of the Gambia to the tune of D6, 340, 845.

The two suspects have since then denied the allegation preferred against them by the authority.

Author: By Modou Sanyang

Source: The Point