Banjul, The Gambia (TNBES) Reports monitored form state television, Gambia Radio and Television Services has it that President Yahya Jammeh has dismissed the Inspector General of Police, Ensa Badjie, and the head of the Gambia Navy Rear Admiral Sarjo Fofana with effect from Tuesday 2nd March 2010.
The Office of the President announces to the general public the dismissal of the following officers from the Gambia Armed Forces;Col. Mamatar Secka Commander Military Police, Major Kuluteh Manneh Army Headquarters, Lt. Famara Jassey Army Headquarters and Lt. Col. Abdoulie Jatta Gambia National Guard.
Banjul, The Gambia (TNBES) Principal Magistrate Kayode Olajubutu of the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 3rd March, 2010 over-ruled the no-case submission of the defence counsel of the United Democratic Party (UDP) Campaign Manager Mr. Femi Peters.
Defence Counsel, Ousainou Darboe during the previous sitting submitted a no-case to answer for Peters, the accused who is standing trial on Two Counts of control of procession and using a loud-speaker at a rally held at Ebony Junction, Serrekunda Central without a permit from the IGP.
Delivering his ruling after quoting both the defence counsel and the prosecution, Principal Magistrate Kayode ruled that the accused was the master minder of the rally and he was the one who signed the application and
made a follow up to confirm whether the application is approved, arguing that UDP is not in nature a person.
Banjul, The Gambia (TNBES) The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Government of The Gambia recently held two-day cross-boarder cooperation aimed at transforming the region into a borderless entity and promoting regional integration.
The programme which was held in collaboration with the Ministry of Local Government and Lands was held at the Baobab Holiday Resort in Bijilo. The meeting, being the first cross-border cooperation to be held in The Gambia was centered on the theme ‘Paving the way for the institutionalisation of cross-border cooperation at national level in the sub-region.’
TheNorth Bank Evening Standard gathers that the concept of cross-border cooperation was officially introduced and adapted in the integration agenda of ECOWAS following a decision by the Authority of Heads of States and Governments of ECOWAS in Niamey, Niger in January 2006.
Banjul, The Gambia (TNBES) Dear Editor, kindly grant me space in your reputable and informative newspaper to express my views off-late the deathly trend undertaken by drivers when plying the road in their daily routine commercial activities. For what I can describe as reckless driving is often perpetrated by commercial drivers who are in a rush just to be registered among the first commercial vehicles to take their return trips from their various garages.
Such deadly acts of driving is often the order of the day in almost all parts of the country, however, I observe that drivers plying the road from Serrekunda to Coastal Road via Sinchu Alagie are seemingly the most
notorious when it comes to over-speeding during rush hours, thus putting the lives of passengers at a great risk.
Banjul, The Gambia (TNBES) The Defence Counsel of the UDP Campaign Manager Femi Peters has filed a no case submission before Principal Magistrate Kayode Olajubutu of the Kanifing Magistrate’s Court, as
the trial continues.
In his submission, defence counsel Ousainou Darboe said it was on the 28th October, 2009 that the IGP lodged at the Banjul Magistrates’ Court a criminal charge sheet containing two counts charging the accused person in those counts. “The evidence that has been adduce in this case, in particular PW2 in his humble submission shows that the accused is not on trial but it is the constitution of The Gambia and the survival of
democracy,” Darboe argued.
Banjul, The Gambia (TNBES) A driver has been charged with rash and negligent act causing death Contrary to Section 221 A of the Criminal Code Cap 10 Volume III laws of The Gambia after he was re-arraigned at the Kanifing Magistrates' Court before Magistrate Fatoumata Drammeh on 1st March, 2010.
Modou Bah, a resident of Bakau was arranged in 2005 before Magistrate Mbacke was said to have been issued a bench warrant after he was granted bail in 2005, but never appeared in court, thus he was no where to be found. He was found recently and subsequently re-arraigned.
Banjul, The Gambia (TNBES) Sooner had Armed Forces began their bid to prove their worth in Continental football than they bow out of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Champions League on February 27, 2010.
The Gambian League Champions were sent parking in the second leg of the first round of the continent’s second most prestigious soccer tournament after a 5-1 aggregate in a two legged tie against North African outfit, JS Kabylie.
Armed Forces traveled to Algeria over the weekend (26th to 28 February) with hopes of turning a 2-1 home defeat only to suffer a 3-0 defeat to the two times African Champions, JS Kabylie.
Goals from Kabylie trio Ousalah Nassim, Meftah Mohammed and Seguer Mohammed secured a well deserved passage to the second round of the competition for the North Africans.
Banjul, The Gambia (TNBES) The Final of the long awaited Ndofan Nawettan between the host, Ndofan and Madina has been scheduled to take place on Sunday 7th March, 2010 at Ndofan Village, Lower Niumi
District in the North Bank Region.
The tournament, sponsored by Vita Lait, a Lebanese Company in The Gambia featured only four teams (Berending, Madina, Fass Njaga Choi and Ndofan) in the 2009 Nawettan (non-league) Season.
Banjul, The Gambia (TNBES) Real De Banjul defeated Bakau United by a goal to nil in week eight of the Gambia Football Association (GFA) First Division League at the Serrekunda West football ground on Saturday 27th February 2010.
Pap Theadore Jatta showed diligent movements before putting Ousman Touray through to slot the ball into the net in the 35th minute to give Real De Banjul the lead.
Banjul, The Gambia (TNBES) Gamtel fought back to the top of the 1st Division Football League with a 4-2 win over third place, Seaview on Sunday at the Serrekunda East Mini Stadium, with only three games left in the first half of the competition.
Seavew took the lead through Alige Ceesay’s magnificent header in 14th minute, however their lead lasted for only five minutes as Gamtel’s Alagie Amadou Ngum sensational free-kick in the 19th minute brought the game all square.
• Posted by Modou S. Joof on March 12, 2010 at 3:16pm
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Banjul, The Gambia (TNBES)Banjul United FC played a goalless draw against Flemings FC in the opening of the Gambia Football Association (GFA) Second Division League at Serrekunda West football ground on Friday 26 February 2010.
• Posted by Modou S. Joof on March 12, 2010 at 3:13pm
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Banjul, The Gambia (TNBES) The National Assembly Member for Kombo North and the Chairman of the National Assembly Select Committee on Health has noted that lawmakers should always make sure that their people have access to safe drinking water and proper sanitation, as well as ensure that children are well protected.
Honorable Adama Cham said it is very important to provide society with these needs, while citing that it their quest to reduce poverty in the country.
Cham was speaking recently at the Paradise Suites Hotel in Kololi during a three-day workshop for the National Assembly Members Sub-Committee to Review and Analyse the 2009 Budget Allocations for Water, Sanitation and Child Protection, organised by PRO-Poor Advocacy Group and funded by UNICEF.
• Posted by Modou S. Joof on March 12, 2010 at 3:04pm
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“The award is in appreciation and recognition of the most outstanding businesses of the year locally and internationally" Banjul, The Gambia (TNBES) The Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of The Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), has told this paper that the main objectives of the forthcoming Gala Dinner and Business Award 2010, is to promote business excellence in the country and show appreciation to the private business sector.
Madam Beatrice Allen was speaking The Voice newspaper in an interview on the importance of GCCI’s forthcoming Gala Dinner and Business Award 2010 at her office along Kairaba Avenue.
“The award is in appreciation and recognition of the most outstanding businesses of the year locally and internationally as well as businesses that has contributed a lot to the socio- economic growth of this country and those that has been and continue to render quality services to the people,” she said.
• Posted by Modou S. Joof on March 12, 2010 at 3:02pm
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Banjul, The Gambia (TNBES) In a rather astonishing moment, the Young Journalists Association of The Gambia (YJAG) could not help but be appreciative when lawyer Edu Gomez announced that he is pledging D10, 000 to YJAG at the end of a one-day Training Programme on Media Laws for Young Journalists.
“I hereby pledge the sum of D10, 000 to the Young Journalists Association,” Lawyer Gomez said.
Lawyer Gomez made the pledge at the time of delivering the official closing remarks at the Joint Officers Mess in Kotu.
“I wish to express a deep sense of gratitude to be associated with this great initiative,” Gomez said while urging young journalists to remain focused and have a tenancy of purpose in order to become what they want to be.
He noted that for the association to remain strong there is the need for sacrifices as in payments of dues by members in order to be financially functional.
The Training brought together 40 young journalists under the theme: “Understanding Media Laws in The Gambia.” VOL:2 ISSN:106
• Posted by Modou S. Joof on March 12, 2010 at 3:01pm
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Banjul, The Gambia (TNBES) Understanding Media Laws in The Gambia was the theme of a one-day training programme on Media Laws for Young Journalists organised by the Young Journalists Association of
The Gambia and funded by Vision Media Foundation.
The training, held at the Joint Officers Mess in Kotu brought together 40 young journalists including affiliate members of writers clubs in various schools in the country.
The training is aimed at building the capacity of young journalists in the country to better execute their duties in conformity with the Laws of the land. It also gives young journalists the opportunity to broaden their horizon on the media laws in the country and how they should observe and respect these laws.
• Posted by Modou S. Joof on March 12, 2010 at 2:59pm
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As Interior Remains indomitable in Female Football
Banjul, The Gambia (TNBES) The Sports Journalists male football team defeated the Youth Ambassadors of Peace in a closely fought final in the recently concluded Fatou Mbye Memorial Tournament, at the Serrekunda East football ground.
Goals from Unique FM’s Amadou Wuyeh Manga and The Point’s Lamin Drammeh in each half were enough to claim the title regardless of Ambassadors’ Famara Daffeh consolation before full time.
Amadou Wuyeh Manga put the journalists ahead 23 minutes into the game with a 25 yard effort which was slipped off the hands of the goalkeeper to hit the net.
Banjul, The Gambia (TNBES) The World Football Governing Body (FIFA) has granted The Gambia Football AssociationUS$400, 000.00 for the construction of another artificial turf in The Gambia.
”FIFA in its magnanimity has granted the GFA with a handsome amount of US$400,000.00 for the construction of the second synthetic pitch in The Gambia,” the GFA said in a media dispatch.
The release stated that the Goal Bureau of FIFA at its meeting held on March 15, 2010 in Zurich has approved the application of The Gambia Football Association and consequently awarded the country’s football governing body with the third Goal project for the construction of the second artificial turf pitch at the National Technical Training Centre situated at Yundum, Western Region.
PW1 Set for Cross Examination, Says he Posted as State Agent in Coup Plot Assignment
Banjul, The Gambia (TNBES) Senior Lawyer Pap Cheyassin Secka has called on the Director of Public Prosecution to rescue himself from the on-going Treason trial involving Lt. General Langtombong Tamba and seven others at the High Court in Banjul on Tuesday 23rd March 2010.
Lt.General Langtombong Tamba, Brigadier General Omar Bun Mbye, Conlonel Lamin B.O. Badjie, Major Kawsu Camara, former Deputy Inspector General of Police Modou Gaye, Gibrile Ngorr Secka, Abdoulie
Joof and Youssef Ezziddine are facing three counts of treason, charges they all denied.
Defence counsel Secka, who is teaming up with Counsel Assan Martins are representing Omar Bun Mbye, Colonel Lamin BO Badjie, Modou Gaye, Gibrile Ngorr Secka and Abdoulie Joof (2nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th and 7th accused persons). Counsel Secka told the Court in his application that yesterday when the Court session was over, he and Lawyer Tambedou called on the Director of Public Prosecution at his office to discuss with him matters concerning the health of the 7th accused (Abdoulie Joof).
“We went to his office and found PW1 there and I think it is so important for the court to consider this matter,” Lawyer Secka said, adding that his client is facing serious health challenges. “In my opinion PW1 was and is still a witness of the Court till examined and re-examined. It is indeed illegal to interfere with the witness while he is still in custody of the Court,” Secka Stressed.
African Governments Not Good at Implementing Charters
It is common for Governments especially African Governments to ratify Charters, but the implementation process can take ages before being incorporated into national laws or never to be domesticated at all.
On 18th and 19th March 2010, the African Union and its allies held a Technical Meeting on the popularisation and ratification of the African Charter on Democracy, Elections
and Governance in Banjul, The Gambia.
Accused PersonsPleaded ‘Not Guilty’ To Charges of Treason
Banjul, The Gambia (TNBES) Lieutenant General Langtombong Tamba, the former Chief of Defence Staff of The Gambia Armed Forces, and Seven others charged with treason appeared before Justice Emmanuel Amadi at the High Court in Banjul on Friday 19th March 2010, all the accused persons pleaded not guilty to all three charges preferred against them.
Former Chief of Defence Staff of The Gambia Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Langtombong Tamba, Brigadier General Ndure Cham, Brigadier General Omar Bun Mbye, Conlonel Lamin B.O. Badjie, Colonel Kawsu Camara, Modou Gaye former Deputy Inspector General of Police, Gibrile Ngorr Secka, Abdoulie Joof, Youssef Ezziddine and Omar Camara were charged with three Counts of treason.
Banjul, The Gambia (TNBES) Principal Magistrate Kayode of the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court granted the application of the defence counsel of the UDP Campaign Manager, Femi Peters for the judgment to be deferred.
The case was set for judgment on Friday 19th March 2010, however, Lawyer Darboe’s submitted a summon of notice for the arrest of judgment.
When the case was called, Defence counsel Darboe stood up and told the court that he filed a summon of notice for the arrest of judgment.
Banjul, The Gambia (TNBES) The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Marie Saine-Firdaus has finally been sacked from her post after a wave of media reports keep linking her to President Jammeh’s Cabinet Reshuffle since last year.
Marie Saine-Firdaus was reported to have been dismissed in May 2009 by a local newspaper; however the report was not officially announced by the Government. In February 2010, media reports an unofficial report has it that Minister Saine was sacked and replaced with Edrissa Mbye, who was also
reported to have declined to take the post.
