Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue Issue No. 45/2007, 20 April - 22 April, 2007   Editorial THE CELEBRATIONS CONTINUE!! WHAT ABOUT THE OBJECTIVE FOR VOTING? Politics is not a wrestling march. It is the science of the state. How a country is governed can lead to the enhancement of liberty and prosperity or the intensification of poverty and tyranny. Leaders in a democratic society are those who take pride in building standards of best practice to make their people free from poverty and fear. Three months have elapsed since the National Assembly elections. Those who now occupy seats should be able to tell the people during victory celebrations what they have said so far to alert the Executive to the problems of the people. If they have said nothing at the National Assembly to promote the liberty and prosperity of the people then they have no reason to celebrate.  It is now understood that the quality of a state is determined by the quality of its institutions. It goes without saying that the quality of an institution is determined by the caliber of its operators. High grade operations give rise to high grade performance and high standard of institutional profiles. It is now left to those elected to move from celebrations to service. The monies used in celebrations are much needed by those who have to pay 3000 dalasis to send their children to school. Establishing constituency funds to help the needy would serve to win more confidence than spending thousands just to claim electoral victory. The eyes are watching. History has its pen. The records will be clear in five years to come. It is better to start the service now so that history will judge one fairly and favourably. The people know what they want if one fails to deliver. History will take its stand and the people will be the judge.  Those who engage in celebration alone and say nothing in the National Assembly to defend the people’s interest cannot sustain that silence for a period of 5 years without becoming redundant or irrelevant. This is what mature representatives should avoid.     AT THE COURT MARTIAL 4 SENTENCED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT By Fabakary B. Ceesay The protracted criminal trial of ten officers of The Gambia Armed Forces, who are standing at the Court Martial at the Yundum Barracks for allegedly trying to overthrow the Government of The Gambia on 21st March 2006 has come to an end. On Thursday the 19 April 2007 they were all convicted on different charges and sentenced to different jail terms to run concurrently. Captain Bunja Darboe, Captain Yaya Darboe, Captain Wassa Camara and Second Lieutenant Pharing Sanyang were all convicted on five counts; namely counseling or procuring persons to commit mutiny; causing or conspiring with others to cause mutiny; mutiny, treason and; conspiracy to commit treason. They were all found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment.  However, Captain Yaya Darboe was acquitted on count two, that is causing or conspiring with others to cause mutiny contrary to section 47 (b), of The Gambia Armed Forces Act.. Captain Pierre J. Mendy, Captain Adboukarim Jah, Lieutenant Momodou Alieu Bah, Corporal Samba Bah, Lance Corporal Babou Janha and Private Alagie Nying were each convicted on three counts: failure to report mutiny, of treason and concealment of treason.  Captain Abdoukarim Jah was sentenced to 25 years in jail in respect of each of the three charges to run concurrently. Captain Pierre Mendy, Lieutenant Momodou Alieu Bah, Corporal Samba Bah, Lance Corporal Babou Janha and Private Alagie Nying were given ten (10) years in respect of each of the three charges to run concurrently. As the president of the court was reading the verdict, by the relatives and loved ones of the convicts became emotional and wailed. Some even fainted and had to be rushed to the military clinic at the Yundum Barracks. An old woman, who is said to be the mother of Corporal Samba Bah, was shouting at the top of her voice, saying “I have no other son, all are dead. Please God help me!” The court room was filled to capacity with heavy security presence.  Before the court commenced sitting, all the family members were told that they would not be allowed to enter. The security at the gate could not advance any reason for the decision. But with the intervention of the defence counsels the press and family members were allowed in. The trial was presided over by five military officers as panelists and a judge advocate. The panelists were Captain Lamin Famara Jammeh, Captain Bubacarr Sanyang, Captain Sillah Kujabi, Captain Gibril Bojang and Commander Sarjo Fofana (as the President of the Court). Justice Akimoyae Agim was the Judge Advocate Read the next issue of Foroyaa if you want to know how the court martial came to its decision.       PAN AFRICAN PARLIAMENT ESTABLISHES TASK FORCE OF EXPERTS HALIFA SALLAH INVITED TO BE MEMBER The seventh session of the Pan African Parliament is to be held from the 7th to 18th May, 2007. One of the key topics to be discussed is a study done on the establishment of a union government towards the establishment of the United States of Africa. This study was presented at the Banjul Summit of the assembly of heads of state. The subject of establishing a union government as proposed by Nkrumah in the 60s, and a union of African states is going to be the main if not the only topic of discussion at the next summit of the assembly of heads of state to be held in Ghana. To prepare itself for the debate the Bureau of the Pan African Parliament constituted a task force comprising; 1. Professor Shadrock Gutto – University of South Africa 2. Dr. Mohammed Salih 3. Dr. John Tesha, Africa Forum 4. Dr. Monica Kathrine Jume, Safer Africa 5. Mr. Halifa Sallah, Centre for Social Science Research, Civic Awareness and    Community Initiative 6. Mr. Prince Maschele, Senior Researcher Institute of Strategic Studies 7. Mr. Daniel Oguna – Advocate 8. Ms. Dran Nappen  9. Mr. Wurumba Warunga – Clerk of Parliament 10. Dr. Mbozoo – Deputy Clerk Legislative business 11. Mr. Galal Nassir – Senior Clerk (Record keeper)   The task force has the responsibility to focus on the following objectives. 1) The historical background of the concept of the United States of Africa. 2) Link the historical background to the current proposal in the AU to create “union   government in Africa” towards a united states of Africa. 3) Respond by making concrete proposals on all aspects of the AU draft report on   the union government. 4) Make precise proposals on the role of the PAP within a union government and   how pap will structurally interact with the structures within such a government. 5) Make concrete proposals in respect of decision making processes within a union   government, paying particular attention to the role and position of the PAP. Output The members of the task force are to produce before the forthcoming seventh ordinary session of PAP scheduled for May 7th to 18th, 2007, at least a draft working paper/report with recommendations for consideration by the Bureau of PAP. Foroyaa has gathered from Halifa Sallah that the task force had 20 days to finish its work that it started work in earnest on 27th March and finished on 17th April. He informed Foroyaa that each task force member had to do research independently and prepare a separate report which were then evaluated and put together by the team at the Riviera Hotel in South Africa from 13th to 17th April as their final meeting. According to him he submitted a 52 paged document entitled “Treatise on the founding of a federation of African States which was well received by his colleagues. That Professor Ghutto has even offered to publish it in the journal of the University entitled International Journal of African Renaissance Studies. He promised that after the Pan African parliament finishes its debate he will circulate the publication widely. Halifa Sallah also indicated to Foroyaa that after his trip to Rwanda, the Association of European Parliamentarians for Africa AWEPA approached him to write a pamphlet on the role of parliamentarians in conflict management and resolution focusing on the Pan African parliaments experience in dealing with the Darfur crisis. He said that his analysis is now published in ACCORD a magazine published by the Institute of Strategic Studies in South Africa. He promised that once he gets a copy of the magazine he will allow Foroyaa to serialize it before publishing as a book for students of political science, development studies or international relations at the University.     FOCUS ON POLITICS BENEATH THE POMP AND SELF-AGGRANDISEMENT LAY A BLOOMING OFFICIAL CORRUPTION With Suwaibou Touray We have been writing the history of the Gambia from pre-independence to post independence era. We have stopped where we mentioned the new philosophy coined by Sir Dawda “Tesito”. Let us start from where we had stopped. Now that Sir Dawda had overwhelmingly won the elections, he was comfortably placed to carry out his promise of creating job opportunities for the numerous school leavers who were desperately hanging around without any meaningful engagements. A five year development plan was already laid before the parliament and approved. Was the five year development plan realistic considering the limited resources of the country? The plan covered 1975/76-1979/80. The main intervention areas of the plan covering both social and productive sectors were centred on: - Rural development - Food self-sufficiency  - Creation of a more equitable income distribution mechanism; - Better educational opportunities; and,  - Increased participation of people throughout the nation in the planning and development process using the slogan “TESITO” a mandinka word- to tie one’s waist, implying self- reliance. In order to meet the specific agricultural sector objectives emphasis was placed on the following broad strategies: - Improving the nutritional status particularly in the rural areas; - Limiting bulk cereal imports; - Increasing cash crop production; and - Diversifying the agricultural production base to reduce the vulnerability of the economy to exogenous and internal shocks. In this regard according to a government owned booklet, Government pursued the policy of direct intervention in agricultural production, processing and marketing justifying it on the need to popularise the adoption of improved technology to enhance productivity and increase market efficiency and increase farmer’s income. Farmers were provided with highly subsidized fertilizers, seed, free vaccination, pesticide concessional credit facilities as well as subsidized services for ploughing and irrigation services. Government also controlled the price of groundnuts, rice, and cotton through exchange rate, import and export regulation. This resulted to the restructuring of the GPMB, creation of the (L.M.B) Livestock Marketing Board for the marketing of all livestock and livestock products and the establishment of the planning, programming and monitoring unit (PPMU) for the agricultural sector.  In the area of food production also national food strategy has been prepared and its recommendations reflected in the second five year plan. A food security scheme designed to establish national Grain reserves with a plan target of 8,000 tonnes of cereals During the campaign the P.P.P convinced the people that if S.M. Dibba or the opposition were to come to power, this second five year plan would not be implemented. The NCP also told the people that even if Jawara was to win the election, the P.P.P would be able to implement only about 30% of the plan. He did not elaborate why. Since the resources were not readily available, the government’s new coined philosophy “Tesito” was to encourage party agents and the whole general public to implement the programme to fill the financial gap. A lot of money has been pumped in the country through loans and grants during this period. Looking at the real outcome of the plan implementation. The farmers in 1975 produced 133,451 tonnes, 124,436 tonnes in 1976 and 82,221 tonnes in 1977/78 Groundnut reason. The plan was also envisaged to increase exports. In 1975 exports amounted D73, 186 dalasis, D106, 713 in 1976 D80, 219 in 1977/78 and D94, 913 in 1978/79? Production and exports instead of increasing were instead decreasing. The highest groundnut production was in 1973/74 when farmers produced 136,000 tonnes as well as 134, 727 tonnes in 1974/75 season which was before the second plan. But as you can see since the commencement of the new programme the production level had continued to drop. Contrary to expectations things were not going as envisaged. According to the quarterly survey of the employment and earnings by the central statistics division, once the activity of the Groundnut trade of the local buying agents and the tourist season comes to an end, employment figures dropped considerably. Those people had to be laid off. As far as the plan for the education sector was concerned, Government could not cope with the proliferation and the requests for schools. The Action-Aid The Gambia. (AATG) is one of the biggest NGOs that started operations in the Gambia in 1979. They got involved in poverty reduction, agriculture but mainly education at the primary level in the rural areas. This columnist was a teacher for the Action Aid. The period also witnessed the sahelian drought. The drought was serious but not as serious as in Senegal, Niger or Mali but serious enough to threaten the economy, Sir Dawda always referred to the drought as one of the reasons for the set back of the second five year plan, but critics always cited the rising corruption and wasteful travels and flamboyant lifestyle of Government officials. In 1977, heads of states of the sahel had to meet in Banjul to discuss and exchange ideas on the issue. According to the book meant to promote 15 years of Sir Dawda’s rule “the Gambia since independence”, “if one were to sum up the events of the first ten years, One would be inclined to say they have been years of growth and consolidation, years when the goal of economic viability loomed larger on the horizon but was accomplished successfully.” So for the P.P.P, they prided themselves on the projects such as the “Tesito” wharf at Barajally built in 1977, the new airport building, Radio Gambia transmitters, the new central bank building opened in 1978, the Banjul harbour, the Banjul Breweries, the Bintang Bolong ship launched in 1978, Yorobawol Health centre in Wuli West opened in 1979 and Yundum Airport brought to international standard, all on borrowed money. The Satellite Earth Station at Abuko which was opened in 1978 amongst others. They also cited an example of wasteful endeavours by Jawara such as the buying of an expensive yacht, the “Mansa-Kilaabaa” the king’s messenger which he took along on his “meet the farmers’ tour” and other provincial tours. According to the outlook, the so-called Tesito Projects were misplaced to the extend that not only were they not always viable but were not prioritised. They cited an example when in 1977 Sir Dawda travels on the Yacht up to Barajally, Niani but could not anchor at the only Tesito” bridge in the area. He said the beauty and expensiveness of the Yacht were in complete contrast with the nature and appearance of the wharf, which he said is a paradoxical drama that exposed the true decadent nature of Kuntaur Area Council. Amid the seeming pomp and gait lay beneath a social dissatisfaction steadily brewing mainly in the urban areas. The civic education (civics) in schools helped many young people to understand how a government should operate. The newspaper such as the Gambia Outlook, the nation the sun touch etc exposed the corruption that was raising its ugly head in the society. Every now and then, parliament would approve an exorbitant sum for this or that project but the projects were either cancelled or in efficiently implemented. For example there were many loans approved for the construction of the Lamin Koto/Passamas road but were not implemented. Every now then Radio Gambia or Newspapers would report on the holiday of Sir Dawda from abroad after a period of what they would call “a well earned rest”, abroad. Thousands of people would be organised to hail them on their return. According to the information and Broad-casting booklet, Sir Dawda’s policy was to attend to all conferences himself to represent the interest of the country. According to the book, the only summits he missed attending in 1973 coincided with a period of ill-health for him. So as you can see, Sir Dawda can best be described as a travelling president, instead of a seating president Some people saw all these as wastage of the meager resources of the country when the living condition of the people was getting more and more difficult. Schools such as Armitage, students expressed their anger on 2nd October 1977. According to the progressive Newspaper, over 300 students went on the rampage in Georgetown and vented their anger on their principal, Mr. Heddle, Mrs. Roberts and a care taker. They hauled stones on them in their houses, broke door and window glasses, until they took refuge under a bed for a whole day. Brikama Secondary Technical School students also went on the rampage and Mr. William Forster, Principal, also went under a similar experience on 13th October 1977. Gunjur Junior Secondary also on 15 November 1977 gave a serious beating to their head-master. According to Outlook, the man had to flee to the chief’s compound but even that could not make him escape the beating. With the emergence of Gambian underground movements appeared many Clandestine Newspapers. The future at the time could not be predicted. See next issue that will shed more light on underground politics in The Gambia.     JOURNALIST FATTY’S TRIAL, “NO CASE” SUBMISSION OVERRULED By Fabakary B. Ceesay Upon the close of the case of the prosecution, Defense Counsel Lamin S. Camara on Monday made “no case to answer” submission in the trial of the closed Independent Newspaper reporter, Lamin Fatty. But the trial Magistrate, Buba Jawo, overruled his submission and said that the defence should prepare to open their case. In his submission Counsel Camara told the court that the accused was charged with false publication under section 181 A of the Criminal Code. He said that the accused was alleged to have committed a crime between the 23-27 March 2006, when he was working for an independent newspaper in the municipality of Kanifing. He indicated that he was allegedly charged with willful/negligent publication of a false issue about an unnamed individual.  “My submission is that the prosecution has failed to lay a correct foundation against the accused person,” he said. He said that a “no case to answer” submission is amply spelt out in the book of the criminal law in Nigeria. He said that the Nigerian law report states that there are conditions that have to be fulfilled before the court, before “a no case to answer” submission can be sustained.  He stated that the first thing is that the court should be satisfied with the ingredients of the offense. He said that, that was not proved by the prosecution; that they have failed to produce sufficient evidence in the main trial. He noted that another condition was that the evidence produced by the prosecution has been falling out during cross examinations. Counsel Camara added that another points is that the evidence by the prosecution was not manifestly reliable for a tribunal.  He urged the court to go for a “no case to answer” submission to be successful and for the court to see whether the prosecution has moved even one ingredient of the offences.  He said that the first ingredient of the charge is that the accused did published The Independent newspaper of 24-26 March 2006. He added that the other is that the accused did that willfully, negligently or recklessly, which according to him, are not true. Camara reminded the court that the prosecution has provided three witnesses and that witnesses one and three are so inconsistent that the court should not believe in them or rely on them. Counsel Camara said that Samba Bah (PW1), the alleged subject matter of the offense testified on the 27th July, 2006. He said that Mr. Bah stated in his Evidence-in-Chief that he requested for a rejoinder and admitted that the rejoinder was his statement. He added that Mr. Bah could not show to the court in his statement where he requested for a rejoinder. Camara noted that Mr. Bah also stated that the accused person published the story which is totally inconsistent with Exhibit A (The Independent newspaper). “There is nothing in exhibit A to say that Mr. Fatty published the story on The Independent newspaper. He said that when it was put to Mr. Bah that the inclusion of his name in the alleged publication could have been the editor’s own imput, that Mr. Bah replied that he was only going by what was on the newspaper. “I urge this court to closely structinise Exhibit A (The Independent newspaper) to see whether the accused published anything on the paper. I therefore submit that the evidence of Samba Bah (PW1) is inconsistent and that they are unreliable,” Camara said.  Camara reminded the court about the Prosecution Witness Two (PW2), Detective Corporal 1838, Lamin Cham, has testified on the 2nd August 2006 and tendered Exhibits A+ A B and B1. Camara indicated that Detective Cham told the court that the accused person’s statement (Exhibit B) was recorded on 28 April 2006 at NIA. Camara indicated that the witness said he read out the cautionary warnings to the accused in the presence of an independent witness and other people in the office. He said that the witness stated in his cross examination that the statement of the accused was taken without an independent witness on 28 April 2006. Camara indicated that the witness later said that it was on the 11 June 2006 when he read out the cautionary statement to the accused in the presence of an independent witness. Camara asserted that the witness (Cham) stated that Exhibit B (the cautionary statement) was taken at the NIA, but there was nothing in it to show that it was taken at the NIA and that the same independent witness by the name Bakary Ceesay was present. Camara noted that the detective said that he never asked the independent witness whether he is literate or not. “Bakary Ceesay’s signature are completely different, you don’t need to be a rocket scientist to know that,” said Camara.  Counsel Camara stated that it was confusing that Bakary Ceesay signed the exhibit, not knowing that it was recorded on the May 11, 2006. Counsel Camara buttressed on the statement of PW3, ASP Ceesay, who stated that he was the IPO and that he instructed the arrest of Lamin Fatty (the accused). He said that ASP Ceesay cannot tell the court when the accused person was arrested, how long he had been in detention and could not tell how often he met the accused in his office. Camara indicated that ASP Ceesay indicated that on Exhibit A1, which contained the rejoinder, there was no name as a reporter under it. Camara said that the witness (ASP Ceesay) said that the name under the caption, “23 Coup Plotters Arrested” was Lamin Fatty. “Few minutes later, under cross examination, ASP Ceesay indicated that there was a name of a reporter for the rejoinder by the name Sulayman Makalo, even though Makalo’s name did not appear under the same column. His evidence is completely at variance with his Evidence-in- Chief,” said Camara. Defence counsel Camara said that the witness (ASP Ceesay), had said that there were two names of reporters on the front page of the newspaper (Exhibit A1) which according to him are Makalo and Secka. Camara argued that there were three names and that the third one is Sanna Camara. “The witness is absolutely unreliable, his statements are different from the one in the Examination-in-Chief,” said Camara. Counsel Camara said that ASP Ceesay indicated that Samba Bah (PW1) had told him that it was the accused who published the story but that he could not find that potion in PW1’s Samba’s statement.  Camara said that ASP Ceesay later stated that The Independent Newspaper Media Company Limited published Exhibits A and A1 (both newspapers). Camara reminded the court that, when it was put to the witness (ASP Ceesay) that “It is correct that Exhibit A and A1 were not published by the accused,” he said that Ceesay replied categorically that it was published by The Independent Newspaper Media Company Limited.  “There is not an atom of evidence before the court to even require the accused person to enter defence, the evidence is very clear that the accused did not publish the story on The Independent newspaper. I humbly urge this honourable court to uphold the case of no submission and to acquit and discharge the accused person,” he concluded. The state prosecutor 1848 Momodou Mballow, asked the court to overrule the application made by the defence counsel to acquit and discharge the accused person. He said that the accused was charged with false publication and broadcasting under Section 181A of the Criminal Code. 1748 Mballow indicated that it was clear that the accused was the reporter for Exhibit A. He said that the accused was not a machine to produce Exhibit A but a reporter for the exhibit. Mballow indicated that it was clear that the publication was false and that Samba Bah was never arrested. He maintained that they have proved their case beyond reasonable doubt. “We called three witnesses whose evidences are all consistent as regard to the false publication,” said Mballow. He argued that the defence’s submission is based on the two that is administrative and substantive justice. Mballow added that whether a rejoinder was written or not, there was false publication and that it is now left to the court to determine. He said that the two different signatures on the Exhibits are totally irrelevant and that there was no proof to say that the signatures are different. 1748 Mballow told the court that for PW3 to state that editors could have put their own imput in that story is a probability. He said that the editor’s role is to edit the grammar or omit the formatting matters. He added that there was no reaction from the accused when the story was published. “We therefore urge this court to hold the accused to enter defence to prove that exhibit’s contents were indeed the editor’s and not him. We firmly urge this court to dismiss the application by the defence counsel,” says Mballow. The trial Magistrate, Buba Jawo, said that the court has heard on both sides. He ruled that the accused has a case to answer and should be prepared to enter into defence before the court. He therefore adjourned the case till 23 April 2007 for the defence to put up their case.      Ports Spoil Hawks’ Midweek Party By Modou Nyang Ports Authority FC proved spoilers on Wednesday at the Serrekunda West playing grounds when they piped top spot chasers Hawks by a goal to nil.  Sanna Nyassi’s 40th minute strike was proved the difference as Ports Authority put up a scintillating fight to deny Hawks a midweek chance of leveling Wallidan at the top of the division 1 league table. The CAF continental club competitions dropouts fought an evenly contested first half with neither side dominating proceedings.  When hostilities resumed for the second period Hawks ventured out more to force their way back into the game, and their efforts could have been rewarded as early as the 53rd minute when Ports’ goalkeeper blundered to gift Hawks, but the opportunity went wide. Then came Hagi Tunkara in the 23rd minute, the pacy forward’s overhead strike could have effectively put the game beyond Hawks’ reach, but his finely taken effort flew over the bar.  Like a wounded lion, Hawks mount pressure on Ports who tried to defend their slim advantage, and in the 25th minute a goal mouth tussle in the Ports area left Hawks claming for a penalty and when the referee called for play to continue, a low strike toward goal by Hawks got the Ports keeper clutching the ground to keep the ball out, and they again cried foul for being denied a goal.  In the 32nd minute a Hawks free-kick forced the Ports keeper to tumble twice to putout the ball. When the corner was taken another scramble in the Ports area lead to another plea for a penalty, but the referee again waved for play to continue. Ports now playing most of their players behind the ball relied on the counter offensive, and Hawks’ goalkeeper Robert Badjie must have blessed the goal post when powerful Ports Striker, Pa Modou Jange’s 80th minute low header hit the bottom post.     Armed Forces Put Two Pass S/Matty By Musa Barrow Armed Forces put up a convincing display to register a two nil comprehensive victory over division 1 returnees, Sait Matty FC at Serrekunda East. The Soldiers continued their stride up the league table announcing their return to the battle field after conquering West African counterparts in the just concluded WALO football competition. Landing Darboe’s crafty 45th minute goal in the first half was followed by Umar Sanyang’s doubler in the 58th minute of the second period. Armed Forces opened proceedings with an impressive display dominating the center of the park to pile pressure on Sait Matty. An avalanche of chances fall to Armed Forces but Sait Matty’s goalkeeper was their stumbling block until Darboe’s effort breaks the deadlock. In the second half Armed Forces picked up from where they left and Umar Sanyang capitalized from a defensive flaw to score his sides second when Sait Matty failed to clear their line.  As if that is the moment they were waiting for, Sait Matty ventured out to salvage the situation only to falter when in front of goal. Determined to allow their advantage slip away, Armed Forces defended well.     Chess Federation Set For Revival By Modou Nyang The National Sports Council has set the ball rolling for the rejuvenation of the Gambia Chess Federation with the organisation of a competition to be followed by a congress later in the year to elect an executive to oversee the running of the dormant game in the country. According to a press statement from the National Sports Council, the scheduled competition dubbed the Uncle Malick Secka memorial trophy will be staged next month. It added that the registration of clubs and individuals has started on Wednesday 18th of this month and will close on the 30th. All those wishing to participate in the competition are urged to register with Abdul Aziz (Titao) Mendy at the Sports council. Registration fees are set at D100 for clubs D50 for club members and D150 for individuals.     Crunch Weekend Matches in Division 1 League By Modou Nyang The weekend matches in the ongoing division 1 league will witness mouthwatering encounters between top guns seeking top spot midway of the league. At Banjul a top of the table clash between Gambia Ports Authority FC and Wallidan on Saturday will test the strength of the current leaders against the defending champions. Wallidan currently to of the league will go in to the game with a single point lead against Ports who defeated Hawks midweek to go second with 14 points. A win for the Seasiders will see them in commanding position as the league reaches midway. Ports still has a game in hand. Wallidan on the other hand will try to maintain their supremacy and avoid a defeat against their rivals who last season dethroned them to the league crown. Hawks FC will also battle it out with Armed Forces at on the same day at Serrekunda West. Hawks, third in the league standings would want to avoid a repeat of their midweek defeat to Ports to keep touch with the fight for top position. And Armed Forces would also want to continue their fine form in order to maintain their climb up the table from the bottom three of the league. This will be their fifth game since the commencement of the league. And at the Independence Stadium on Saturday, Gamtel will lock horns against Sait Matty whilst on Sunday at Serrekunda East, Struggling Bakau United will play Sea View. Real de Banjul and Steve Biko will end the weekend at the Independence.      Serrekunda East Qualify for Second Division By Madiba Singhateh Serrekunda East FC has progressed to the second division league after beating Jollof Tutors FC by 3-1 on Thursday at the Independence Stadium, in the third division triangular. The zonal side fought from behind to seal their dream qualification after nine years of struggle to reach the country’s second tier league. Jollof Tutors snatched the opener in the 9th minute of the second half through Morro Sillah, but Serrekunda East fought back to seal the day in style. Two minute later Wurry Sowe leveled for the easterners from a set piece.  On even terms both sides pushed for the all important lead and in the 85th minute Assan Njie breaks the deadlock when he beat the Jollof keeper to put his side in the lead. And the party continued for the East side was made more certain when Joseph Mendy sealed the day in the 90th minute to send Serrekunda East to their first ever appearance in the second division. Nema United also booked their place in the second division league after falling out of the league four years ago.     Photographers Donate to Operation Canada By Madiba Singhateh The Gambia Professional Photographers Society yesterday handed a ten thousand dalasis cheque as contributions for the road to Canada campaign. The donation also included a digital camera, photo album and Posters of the U-20 players and also a DVD video clips of the U-20 team’s performances. Presenting the sum and the materials at the offices of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Secretary General of the society Dawda Bayo indicated that their donation is not to bribe their way to Canada but to contribute the quota to the development of society. He added that their association was accorded the opportunity to cover football matches by the Gambia Football Association. The Secretary of State for Sports Sheikh Omar Faye received the donated items and in turn handed them over to the Secretary General of the GFA Jammeh Bojang. The SoS in his speech indicated his appreciation of the donated materials and urged others to emulate them. He added that the donation boxes should be monitored and protected to avoid what had been happening before.     BAKAU U.D.P CANDIDATE’S TRIAL ADJOURNED By Modou Jonga The criminal trial involving the state and the defeated U.D.P Candidate for the Bakau Constituency in the past National Assembly Election, Mr. Nfamara S. Bojang, was on Tuesday 17th April 2007 adjourned to 2nd May. The case was presided over by Magistrate E.F M’bai. In applying for adjournment, ASP Badjie holding brief for prosecutor 413 Sanyang stated that the latter is transferred and is yet to formally hand over the said case file. ASP Badjie further urged the court to grant an adjournment to the prosecution. In the previous sitting, a Police Officer, Nfansu Saho attached to Yundum Police Station testified as the first prosecution witness. In his testimony, Mr. Saho alleges faked notes of Gambian currency found in the possession of the accused person. Mr. Bojang who pleaded not guilty to two criminal charges was arrested a day after his nomination by the I.E.C to contest the Bakau Constituency Seat. However, both the accused and his counsel Lawyer Ousainou Darboe were said to be absent in court.   TWO FROM WULI ON TRIAL By Yaya Dampha Two men from Sutukonding, Wuli West District, are on trial at the Basse Magistrates Court on matters seemingly arising from a dispute over Alkaloship. The duo, Bakai Jatta and Kanimang Jatta are charged with two counts: (1) obstructing public officers contrary to section 111 of the Criminal Code and (2) disobedience to lawful orders contrary to section 116 of the Criminal Code. Both accused persons had pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them. The proceeding on Monday 16th April started with the cross-examination of PW1, Mr. Lang Koro Jatta the Village Alkalo. Under cross-examination the witness said the compound they entered belonged to the accused person. He further agreed that the accused has a right to deny any one from entering his property. He said they entered the compound because the Area Council gave them orders to enter and assess all compounds. He confirmed that there is no additional structure in the compound but there was a replacement of one of the previous structures. He said upon arrival in Jatta Kunda the 1st accused collared him and pushed him out before bringing the local drum called “tabulo” that he beat with a bottle. He said he went to the accused person’s compound with two Police Intervention Unit (PIU) officers with guns. He said he was the one who instructed the PIU officers to arrest the accused persons. The counsel for the accused put to him that there was no single new structure in Jatta Kunda; that he only went there to provoke the peace.  Testimony of Siaka Danjo The statement of PW1 tendered by the defence was admitted and marked Exhibit A.  PW2 Mr. Siaka Danjo, the Area Council clerk said he went to Jatta Kunda with the team for assessment with Lamin Koro Jawneh. He told the court that there was a quarrel even though he had opportunity to finish his work there. He said the accused person asked the Alkalo and two others from the village who were with them to leave his compound.  Testimony of Assan Cham Under cross examination he agreed that a man’s compound is his castle; that he has right to send any one out. He said the accused person rushed the Alkalo. PW3 is first class 366 Assan Cham of the PIU. Cham said he was deployed with L/CPL Lamin Ceesay to reinforce the assessment team. He said when they arrived in Jatta Kunda they greeted, but no one answered them. He said the accused person came from outside running in to the compound and gripped the Alkalo and pushed him out. He said after they had left the compound he returned there to effect the arrest of the accused persons. Under cross-examination, he denied taking them to the Regional Governor’s residence or office. He said all along, the accused person was saying “let’s go, later the truth shall prevail.”  Hearing continues.     
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