According to the French News Agency (AFP), a Gambian couple were on Friday, charged by the Norwegian  police for subjecting five of their daughters to female genital mutilation in the country's first-ever case against the illegal act of female circumcision.     

"The father and mother are accused under the Norwegian laws on genital mutilation. They are suspected of taking part in the circumcision of five of their six daughters," Hanne Kristin Rohde, a police official told NRK radio.

The AFP news report also indicated that only two of the six children who are aged between 3 and 14 live in Norway, although others -- who live in The Gambia, with the husband's two other wives -- have Norwegian passports. These include a three-year old who has not yet been circumcised.
 
Rohde made it clear that Norway's Child Protection Agency would be entrusted with caring for all the children.    

Their father, 41, whose identity has not been disclosed, is expected to appear before a judge to face the charge. But their mother, who is expected to give birth to a seventh child, is said to be too weak to be kept behind bars.

Rohde said Norwegian laws are against female genital mutilation and the offence carry a prison term of several years, depending on the severity of the crime.   

It could be recalled that Norway banned female circumcision with the enactment of a law in 1996, which sets a prison term of three years for anyone who carries out female genital mutilation and up to eight years, if the mutilation results to death or severe health damage.

In 2004, an amendment required schools and health personnel to alert authorities on case involving female circumcision.

Gambia international Njogu Demba scored a 45th minute goal to aid his Brann side to a c home victory against Lillestrom in the Norwegian Tippeliga on Sunday.

The athletic striker set up forward-pair Einarsson to open the scoring in the 22nd minute before the visitors grasped an equaliser five minutes before half-time.

Hopes were restored when the former Panathinaikos, FC Kerkira and Esbjerg striker, coiled in a stunning free-kick to earn his first league goal and in effect aided the champions to land their second win in five league matches.

Sunday’s victory saw Brann climbed up to ninth position in the fourteen-team league table on seven points, four points behind the leaders, Stabaek.

Just six more matches before the end of the Norwegian League, Gambian Tijan Jaiteh’s SK Brann have extended their lead on the table with six points.

Brann FC humiliated mid-table placed, Fredrikstad, away 4-0 last Sunday with Helstad netted twice in the 65th and 79th minute.

Andresen first opened the scores for Brann in the 48 minutes and Karadas netted the second for the Norwegian giant in the61st minute.

SK Brann’s arch rival on the table, Lillestrom, was humiliated by Tromso at home 3-0, giving SK Brann the sole commander on the table.

SK Brann has now 42 points against 36 for Lillestrom.

Meanwhile Sandefjord of Ebrima Sohna are still at the bottom of the table with 15 points in 20 matches played.