Three of the five sympathizers of the main opposition United Democratic Party, who were jointly charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, yesterday heaved a sigh of relief when they were informed by a Western Region-based lower court that they were free from the charges.

Doudou Cassa Jaata, Maimuna Jobarteh and Natoma Conteh were among the opposition supporters that were rounded up shortly after the results were announced in the 2006 bye-election in Kombo East constituency. Some of them were whisked away to a police station a few kilometres away, and subsequently charged with assault, causing actual bodily harm.

Meanwhile before acquitting and discharging the trio of the charges, magistrate John Njie of the Brikama Magistrates’ Court pointed out that the acquittal and discharge of the opposition supporters was based on absence or dearth of evidence before the court, to warrant a conviction.

In a separate development, the trial of Lamin R. Darboe jointly charged with the three acquitted UDP supporters, resumed yesterday at the Brikama Magistrates’ Court but could not continue as billed.

The case is expected to resume next Monday.

The Gambia Committee on Traditional Practices affecting the health of women and childrenGAMCOTRAP, with support from the Inter African Committee on Traditional Practices based in Addis Ababa has provided over one hundred thousand Dalasi to nineteen Circumcisers from the Upper and Central River Regions to engage in Alternative Employment Opportunities Project.

The Chief of Kantora, Alhajie Bachu Ceesay of Garawol, Alkalo Lasana Manneh of Basse Manneh Kunda amongst others reminded the circumcisers that they voluntarily stopped the practice of FGM after getting the facts about the effects it has on sexual and reproductive health and called on them to make best use of the opportunity provided to them to enhance their economic status. The Alkalo of Kaba Kama, Aja Fatou Danso who was part of the delegation that witnessed the presentations, commended GAMCOTRAP for the approach it takes to present facts on FGM with respect and dignity in the communities. She noted that the support given to the Circumcisers will go a long way towards addressing poverty in their families while protecting girls from harm.

Speaking at the presentations the Executive Director of GAMCOTRAP Dr. Isatou Touray, said the process involved series of training to create awareness amongst circumcisers on the effects of female genital mutilation and other harmful traditional practices, microfinance before the presentation of the AEO. She called on the communities to support the circumcisers and emphasized the need for bringing up girls in a positive manner to be good role models in society without harm.

In receiving the support, all the beneficiaries expressed their appreciation to GAMCOTRAP for fulfilling its promise. They vowed to keep to their words to protect girl children from FGM. The support was based on a feasibility study amongst beneficiaries, followed by training on microfinance and management of small scale business enterprises. The circumcisers identified animal rearing, petty trading, Pottery, tie and dye and support to develop gardening as their areas of interest.

The Circumcisers who benefited are Dusu Kanteh and Nyama Damba of Manneh Kunda, Mariama Samura of Kaba Kama, Aja Mabintou Bahaga of Tinkinjo, Jonfolo Fofana of Chamoi, Jibel Kandeh of Samba Kunda, Koreh Sanyang of Sare Mamadi, Hulay Damba of Simoto Touba, Hatou Kanteh and Bai Kanteh of Garawol, Sunkaru Damba of Tambasansang, Kumbayel Sowe of Keneba Kantora, Kani Kanteh and Isatou Damba of Kanube, Penda Damba and Haja Bintou Sinera of Gunjur Kuta, Sira Janko of Kundam Mafatty, all of URR and Aja Fanta Jawneh of Dobong Kunda and Siya Fatty Bantanto in CRR.

The cash presentations were witnessed by eleven different Alkalolu, women's leaders and family members of the circumcisers who have decided to stop practicing female genital mutilation.

Magistrate Buba Jawo of the Bundung Magistrates’ Court recently sentenced Lamin Kanyi and Sheriff Touray of Tallinding to serve eight months in jail after being found guilty of assault and battery.

Lamin and Sheriff were, though left with an alternative of paying a D4000 court fine each. They were also ordered to pay a compensation of D1000 to their victim.

According to the details of the case, the duo was among a group of boys who assaulted one Lamin Sanneh in April of this year in Tallinding by beating him all over his body and, as a result, caused him actual bodily harm.

Two people, Musa Marong and Ebrima Mbye, were on Monday, granted bail at the sum of D15,000, by Senior Magistrate Buba Jawo of the Bundung Magistrates’ Court.

The two were separately charged with assault and causing actual bodily harm and wilfull damage to property, both counts are contrary to Sections 228 and 312 sub-Section (1) of the Criminal Code, Laws of The Gambia. 

According to the particulars of offence, on or about August 17, 2007, at Mariama Kunda, Kombo North in the Western Region, Musa Marong wilfully and unlawfully assaulted one Ebrima Mbye, with a broken bottle and stabbed him on his hand, thereby causing him actual bodily harm.

The other charge stated that on or about August 17, 2007 at Mariama Kunda Kombo North, in the Western Division, Ebrima Mbye wilfully and unlawfully uprooted maize and cassava plants, valued at D2000, belonging to Musa Marong.

When the charges were read to them both men pleaded not guilty.  They were then granted court bail at the sum of D15,000, each with a Gambian surety. The case was adjourned to October 8, for hearing.

Corporal 438 Njie stood in for the IGP.

Amie Jaiteh, a native of Lamin village and the complainant in the assault case involving Neneh Jallow, Ousman Gaye, Awa Jallow and Oumie Bahum, on Tuesday told Brikama Magistrates’ Court, presided over by Magistrate EF M’Bai that she was seriously beaten by the four accused persons right from her compound gate to the kitchen.

According to her, on the day of the incident she left her compound to visit a friend in town when one of her daughters came to inform her that the fourth accused person’s child came to their compound and insulted them.

“When I came back home, I met the four accused persons at my compound gate insulting my children. I then told the accused persons to leave my home. Then Ousman Gaye, the second accused person, hit me and the other three joined him and beat me up to my kitchen gate, causing me bodily harm,” she explained.

She concluded that she then reported the matter to the Alkalo of Lamin, and then to Yundum Police Station, where she gave her statement.

Mariama Konateh, a house mate of the complainant, who also testified in the case, expressed similar sentiment.

Magistrate M’Bai then told the court that such disputes are internal cases between neighbours and should be amicably resolved by the village Alkalo, in order not to breach the neighbourhood-relation. He then adjourned the case to Wednesday 12 September, 2007, for continuation.

Police Prosecutor Cpl 413 Sanyang, represented the IGP.

Saikou Dampha, a resident of Bakau, was on Monday, remanded at the State Central Prisons at Mile II by Magistrate Pa Harry Jammeh of the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court.
Saikou was charged for assault which caused actual bodily harm and serious injuries to one Lamin Njie.

The incident occurred on April 27 at Cape Point in Bakau.
When the charge sheet was read to him, Saikou told the court that he wished not to say anything until he secures a lawyer. He told the court that he was in the process of hiring a legal representation.

Notwithstanding, Presiding Magistrate Jammeh remanded the accused to the Remand Wing until July 17, when the case will resume for continuation. Corporal 870 Touray represented the IGP in the trial.