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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