The trial of Musa Suso, former National Assembly Member for Kombo North, was on Wednesday deferred until 20th August 2008. The case, which was scheduled for a ruling on the defence counsel’s application for the prosecution to provide the defence with all the information they needed to carry on their defence, could not proceed as the Presiding Magistrate, Kayode, was due to proceed on leave, necessitating the transfer of the case.

Musa Suso is standing trial at Banjul Magistrates Court on four counts of giving false information to a public officer, contrary to section 114(a) of the criminal code, cap. 10 volume III, Laws of the Gambia.

It is being alleged that the accused, Musa Suso, in 2007 at police headquarters in Banjul, gave false information to the then IGP, Benedict Jammeh, and the then Crime Management Co-ordinator, that the Director of Prisons, David Colley, had received an unspecified amount of fuel from one Ebou Khan (Musa’s friend) while Musa was incarcerated at Mile II, knowing it to be false or believed it to be untrue at the time.

It is also alleged that Musa Suso in the year 2007 at the police headquarters falsely informed the then IGP and the then Crime Management Co-ordinator, Burama Dibba, that the Director of Prisons, David Colley, had diverted a satellite dish bought by Ndey Conteh for the inmates of Mile II to his personal use, which he knew to be false or believed it to be untrue at the time.

Furthermore Musa Suso is accused of having in the year 2007 at police headquarters in Banjul falsely informed the then IGP, Benedict Jammeh, and the then CMC, Burama Dibba, that the Director of Prisons, David Colley, had fed the carcass of a bull to inmates at Mile II Prisons and that it led to the death of several inmates, which he knew to be false or believed to be untrue at the time.

The offence further stated that in the year 2007 at police headquarters in Banjul the accused, Musa Suso, falsely informed the then IGP and the then CMC that David Colley made his (Musa’s) friend, Sedia Jatta, to paint a prison truck through his influence while he (Musa) was incarcerated at Mile II, which he knew to be false or did not believe it to be true at the time.

According to reports monitored on GRTS last evening, President Jammeh, acting under powers vested in him by the APRC constitution, has decided to rescind the nomination of Oley Sey, nominated member of the National Assembly with effect from yesterday.

It could be recalled that Oley Sey was alongside four others nominated as members of the National Assembly by President Jammeh following the January 2007 National Assembly elections.

The National Assembly Member for Banjul South Honorable, Baboucarr Nyang alias Papa Leety, on Sunday presented D4,000 and footballs to the four teams from his constituency namely Waff Bi, Ngoyan, Digi Dambi, and Dobson United.

Each team collected a cash donation of D1,000 with  a ball.

Speaking during the presentation, Hon Baboucarr Nyang said that the donation “is to foster unity among the youths of Banjul South and to help them in the preparatory aspects for the Nawettan.”

He said, “we are all one and should look the way forward to help the youths of Banjul South.”

Honourable Nyang pointed out that sports is one of the leading peace makers in the world and the only way to bring unity among the youths is to give them courage and support.

He expressed his readiness to assist and support the youths of Banjul South.

Are we a pessimistic people? The former majority leader and member for Upper Fulladu West, Honourable Churchill Falai Baldeh, seems to believe that we are. In a recent exclusive interview with this paper he said that Gamabian people look at the negative rather than the positive side of things. We really must disagree. Optimism and pessimism are worldviews one holds when one is not faced with very harsh realities. At the moment many people in The Gambia are struggling to pay for the basic commodities required for life such as food and energy. In this reality it is very difficult if not impossible to be optimistic as only a fool would think that prices are coming down any time soon. Perhaps people might be optimistic about getting a job or a wage increase if they are already lucky enough to be employed, but if bitter experience has taught them that this is effectively a waste of time then we must say they are realists rather than pessimists. A pessimist will believe that the negative will happen even when there is a chance that there may be a positive outcome. Perhaps the homourable member should have said that Gambians are realists.

In fact many would say that even in the face of harsh reality the people of this nation take their trials with amazing good grace. Even though many of our people are living in dire poverty without access to many services, this is still a peaceful nation. In many other parts of the world we have seen food riots but not in The Gambia. A remarkable stoical acceptance is what sets us apart from other nations and this is an attribute we should laud.

In response to a question by Hon. Seedy Njie, Nominated Member of the National Assembly as to the total budget needed for the forthcoming National Youth Conference and Festival (NAYCONF), Mr. Mass Axi Gai, the Secretary of State for Youth and Sports, on Monday told Members of the National Assembly that the budget for the event is D3, 343, 520.000.

Geared towards creating a platform for young people to have a greater understanding of the issues affecting them, accept each other and explore means through which they can contribute towards national development, the event would also look into key issues on the role of youths in achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

According to Secy. Mass Axi Gai, the National Youth Council, in collaboration with its partners, has so far been able to raise some of the money needed to organise NAYCONF 2008.

“UNICEF has committed US$3,000.00 while UNFPA has committed US$9,511.77. The Government of The Gambia through the Department of State for Youths and Sports will also contribute a big chunk of the budget,” he said.

Being a biannual event that brings together over five hundred young people from across the country, this year’s theme is “Invest in Youths for Sustainable Development.”

Slated for December 2008 in Farafenni, NBR, the components of the event will, among others, include the conference, cultural shows, performances and carnival, award ceremony, sporting activities and beauty contest.

The Youths and Sports Secy. went on to state that in line with expectations, the local councils will also contribute to the budget as usual as they take care of some participation costs of their respective regions.

Asked as to his Department’s plans through the National Youth Council and National Youths Service Scheme in engaging and sensitising youths about the menace of illegal migration, Mass Axi Gai said this should not be the responsibility of his Department alone as National Assembly Members also have a big role to play.

The Brikama Magistrates’ Court is expected to start proceedings in the civil case of a former National Assembly Member for Foni Bintang, this paper has reliably learnt.

Musa Gaye of Lamin village is clearly unhappy with ex-Hon. Janko Sanyang for his ‘failure’ in paying him[ Gaye] D5000, being money for goods given the ex-parliamentarian to facilitate his [Sanyang’s] naming ceremony.

The civil suit was reportedly instituted against Sanyang after several demands for the payment of the money could not bear fruits.

The case was first mentioned on 16 May 2002, but was adjourned to yesterday due to the absence of both parties from court.

It is now expected to continue on 16 June 2008.

The long awaiting election of the GKFAD executive finally took place last Saturday the 24th of May, 2008.

According to a member of the GKFAD, the executive had failed to hold congress since October 19th 2007 and were not ready to stage the congress. It had to be cancelled on three consecutive chosen dates after notifying the NSC with a letter submitted to the Executive Secretary of the NSC.

The congress hall was filled to capacity by students eager to see a new executive that will run the future affairs of Karate in the country.

Mr. Omar Manjang was finally elected as the new President of The Gambia Karate Federation and Associated disciplines. When asked about his plans to bring Karate back to life, he said he will make sure that Karate is revived and that students will enjoy standard competitions that will prepare them for up coming international competition.

He said that there are lots of talented young Gambians that need to be helped to realise their dreams in Karate. He added that Karate academics should be set up to develop youngsters and prepare them for future cadet competition.

One Karate student said they had stopped competing for 11 months now but hailed Mr. Manjang as someone with a difference.

Yorro Njie, a delegate, said that sports should be helped and the National Sports Council should come up with a policy that will make sure that no association/federation is over due for congress.

Though the old executive failed to turned up to give out their financial, secretary and president’s reports, 17 clubs out of 26 voted for a new leadership.

The new Technical Director Sensei Muhammed Danso informed the gathering that the notification of the election result will be submitted to the national Sports Council.

A former staff member of Gampost is currently at the centre of a legal tussle for ‘stealing’ £46.

Amadou Fofana is in conflict with the laws of the land for allegedly stealing a parcel containing £46, property of one Abdoulie Touray. He however denies responsibility for the offence. The case, before Magistrate John Njie, has now proceeded to a full trial to enable the prosecution prove the ingredients of the matter beyond reasonable doubt.

A fifteen member delegation from the Federation of The Gambia Muslim Student’s Organization (FEGMSO) led by its president, Brother Mustapha Barry, returned home recently after attending an international conference in the Senegalese capital, Dakar.

The event held at Sheikh Anta Diop University was organised by the Senegalese Muslim students union called Meejir otherwise known as Jamatou Ibadou Rahman. The two organizations have a strong link dating back to 2005.  FEGAMSO invited their Senegalese counterparts to a similar event last year in Banjul.

In his welcoming remarks, Omar Ndow Nying, President of the Senegalese Muslim student body extended a warm welcome to his Gambian counterparts. He expressed his satisfaction with the relationship and reaffirmed his organization’s commitment to the implementation of joint activities involving the two organizations.

The FEGAMSO President for his part thanked his hosts for the welcome accorded to him and his delegation.

At the conference the two organization’s renewed their commitments to the implementation of joint human resource development programs and exchange visits.

Fatoumata S Baldeh, a member of the Western Region Youth Parliament of the National Youth Parliament of the Gambia left the country on the 2nd of May 2008 for the United States of America.

Hon Baldeh is off to attend the 16th Session of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD-16) which kicks off on Monday, 5th  and will last until Friday, the 16th of May 2007 at the UN Headquarters in New York.

Her participation is possible thanks to Inwent (a German non-profit organisation with worldwide operations dedicated to human resource development, advanced training and dialogue) and the United Nations for providing the funds through the German Youth Council.

During her stay in New York, Baldeh will participate in series of activities ranging from taking part in the CSD Youth Caucus, the intergenerational dialogue, donor meeting and a bilateral meeting with the German Youth Delegation. In addition, She is expected to make a presentation in the National Youth Parliament on a model of youth participation.

She is due back on Monday, 21st May 2008.