Kuntaur Wharf Town in the Central River Region of The Gambia was on Thursday the scene for startling revelations as proceedings gets underway in an alleged rape case.

Travelling Magistrate Amadou Baldeh on Thursday of last week began hearing testimonies in the case of a 37-year-old Guinean national on suspicion of raping a 10-year-old girl.

The suspect, Augustine Biyofa, had denied the allegations.

Giving evidence in the case at a well-attended court session in Kuntaur Wharf Town, the first prosecution witness, Momodou Jallow, cast his mind back to August of last year.

“It was in the afternoon and I was just from the riverside. As I undressed and tried to wash my clothes, I heard a little girl crying. As the cries intensified, I went to Augustus’ house only to see him on top of the little girl,” said the witness. Said he: “It was then that I chased the girl out and I then proceeded to mosque. Upon my return, I was informed that the accused was threatening to take my life by letting the girl off him. He rained insults on me and even intended to engage me in a fight. It was later that he was arrested and taken to the police station.”

Also testifying in the case, the father to the little child recounted that it was on a St. Mary’s Day when he encountered the suspect whilst going home with his daughter.

“When we encountered him, Augustus gave the child D5, saying that Assumption Day is a holy day.

“On our way home, the child told me that she had forgotten her comb at where she was braiding her hair and I therefore asked her to go for it. After sometime, news came that an attempt of rape was made to my daughter by the accused.” 

The case resumes on 10 July 2008 to enable prosecutor Cpl 1260 Colley call in more prosecution witnesses.

The Head Coach of The Gambia’s U-20 team will name his 18-man squad today ahead of the weekend friendly game against Senegal sponsored by Africell.

Coach Lorenzo Robbinaci, speaking to Pointsports, yesterday, at their training ground, said his selection process would depend on players’ performance.

He stated that the team is well prepared for the friendly game as part of their preparation for the African Youth Championship in 2009.

He called on all Gambians to come out massively and cheer on the boys on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the U-20 team of Senegal is expected to arrive in Banjul on Fridayto take on The Gambia’s U-20 side in the Africell sponsored international friendly match at the Independence Stadium in Bakau.

The team is expected to be camped at the Paradise Suites Hotel.

The match will prepare The Gambia’s U-20 team who will be locking horns with Mauritania in Banjul on June 28, 2008, as part of the African Youth Championship qualifiers.

Ahead of the encounter, foreign-based Gambian players have been invited by the FA.

The tickets for the match are as follows; VIP D300, Covered and Uncovered pavilions are pegged at D50 and D25 respectively

Night clubs around town are expected to get busy with weekenders revelling all weekend long.

The Alsamadeh just at the entrance of Abuko is expected to overflow with party-people whilst Cotton Club in Fajara is this weekend expected to play host to a mature crowd.

Elsewhere along the busy Kairaba Avenue, the classy but inexpensive 4 Seasons will be once again alive as a contingent of chefs continue to match the exceptional location of the place with breath-taking foods.

Are you lover of wildlife, then head for the Kanilai Game Park in Kanilai where you are sure to come face to face with species which are scarcely found in our climate.

Looking for a romantic and magical weekend in which you will be close to a river and hear the heartbeat of nature, you can’t do worse by not hightailing it to Jombong Bantang Cultural Camp in Foni Berefet.

How about spending the weekend on the beach and by the sea? The coastal resorts of Jungle Beach in Sanyang and Boboy Lodge in Kartong could not do better.

Elsewhere, Churchill’s pub just behind Palma Rima Hotel will come alive as it hosts Karaoki dance this weekend. This will be one of the exciting events that will complement the food and drinks activities taking place at the gardens of the pub. 

Top Seven from Kerewan Sounds

Artistes—————————Album title

Jaliba Kuyateh————Semboo

 Luciano—————————Natural Love

Yousou Ndour—————Rocca

Pa Joof—————————-Jotna

Mbye Nder———————Confience

Sambou Suso——————Mooyaa Gelema

Pa Omar Jack—————— Love Metre

After long wait, the Senegalese Mbalax celebrity, Baba Mall, has already jetted into the country for a weekend celebration of music.

Baba Mall, whose sonorous voice helped bring Mbalax music to international ears, will be performing live alongside the famous Gambian koraist, Jaliba Kuyateh, Pa Omar Jack of Fish & Chips fame and Afro Manding Queen, Sambou Suso.

The show will jump-start today at Brikama Jokor and then Paradise Suites Hotel on Saturday. On Sunday, Jokor at Westfield intersection is expected to be virtually bursting at its seams as Baba Mall concludes the weekend celebration of music.

Mr. Michael Secka was born on 12th December 1963 in the town of Basse in the Upper River Region (URR). He attended St. George’s Primary School and later Armitage High School. Then he went to the Gambia College for his Primary Teaching Certificate (PTC) and his Higher Teaching Certificate (HTC) and now he is studying at the University of The Gambia while heading the Jangjangbureh Upper Basic School.

In an interview recently Mr. Secka told The Point that he loves the art of writing and ever since he was young he has been dreaming of becoming a writer. Now he thanks God that he has successfully launched four books that are widely read. The books are  “Love Impersonation and Breaking Hearts”, “Education in Tears and Women in Distress”, “Literacy for Gambian Upper Basic Schools” and “Shock”.

He is launching a further six books in two months time which are called; “Face to Face with African Tradition”, “Management in Gambian Schools”, “Critical Essay in Education”, “Preserving Customs”, “Africa Robbed it’s History, Dignity and Culture Along the Paths of History” and “Concern That Matters But No System”.

He is appealing to the Government, NGOs, Philanthropists and well wishers for sponsorship to launch these books.

The Gambian Mbalax experience, Mbye Gaye will release his fifth album today Thursday, 27thMarch 2008. The name of the album is Santa Yalla and it will be on sale in Kerewan Sound recording studio in Banjul, Bambo recording studio in Serekunda, VP recording studio and other recording studios in the country.

In an interview with The Point, the Banjul based Musician described the album as the number one talk in town, noting that the album will available in many formats including CD, DVD and Cassette.

According to him, the launch of the album is scheduled to take place on the 26thApril 2008 at the Atlantic Hotel in Banjul.

Touching on the sponsorship of his album, Mbye Gaye thanked President Jammeh for sponsoring the album. He described President Jammeh as somebody who always takes the responsibility of promoting The Gambia’s musicians. He calls on every Gambian to visit the studios.