In The Case Of Health Ministry Officials Satang B. Houma Testified As PW 1

State First Witness Testifies In Health Ministry Officials Corruption, Forgery, Theft, Conspiracy, and Economic Crimes Trial In the Corruption, Forgery, Theft, Conspiracy, and Economic Crimes trial involving three Ministry of Health officials, the state has called its first prosecution witness (PW1). The accused are Balla Kandeh, Omar Malleh Ceesay, and Muhammadou Lamin Jaiteh, three(3) Health Officials were Arraigned for corruption, forgery, theft, conspiracy, and economic crimes total of 19 charges were brought against them. When the case was called the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) A.M. Yusuf informed the court of the readiness of the state to proceed with the hearing and present their first witness to testify. However, Counsel Lamin L.S. Camara, representing the accused persons, noted that the original indictment lacks the statements of the witnesses expected to testify. Additionally, the voluntary and cautionary statements of the accused persons were also not attached to the original indictment. Counsel Camara requested that the defence be provided with all necessary documents that the prosecution intends to rely upon in the trial before the commencement of the hearing. The presiding Judge Justice Ebrima Jaiteh directed the DPP A.M. Yusuf to ensure the defence is supplied with the required documents they intend to rely on for their preparation. The state Conusel promised to supply all the documents. Subsequently, the state called its first witness, Satang B. Houma, who informed the court that she was the Financial Controller of the Project Coordination Unit of the Ministry of Health. Satang B. Houma, also told the court that she is a Chartered Accountant, and stated that she began working with the Ministry of Health in January 2018. When asked if she recognized the accused individuals, she identified two of them – Balla Kandeh (the 1st accused person), who was the Project Manager of the National Malaria Control Program (NMCP) when she joined the Project Unit, and Muhammadou Lamin Jaiteh (the 3rd accused person), who was later appointed as Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health. Regarding her role as the Financial Controller of the Project Coordination Unit, Satang B. Houma explained that her office is responsible for the financial management of the Ministry of Health. She testified that her unit handles the finances of development partners' projects. "The Program Unit submits requests to the Project Coordination Unit, which verifies whether the requests align with the approved budget. If approved, the funds are endorsed for disbursement by the Permanent Secretary," she explained. At this point, since the defence is yet to receive the witness statements, as well as the voluntary and cautionary statements of the accused persons, Justice Jaiteh instructed the witness to pause her testimony until the defence is provided with the necessary documents. The case was then adjourned to November 8th, 2023, for the continuation of the hearing at 12:00 Source Kexx Sanneh

Witness In The Police Shooting Says He Heard Six shots

The second prosecuting witness in the alleged PIU shooter case yesterday confirmed that he heard the sound of a pistol six times during the incident at Sukuta-Jabang Traffic Lights. In his examination in chief before Justice Jaiteh of the Banjul High Court, Bakary Jarju said that during the hit of the act, it was difficult to count under pressure, adding that he counted and heard six gunshots. He explained that the first shot was discharged and hit the police officer with the AK47, the second shot was fired at the other officer who was scrambling with the shooter, the third shot targeted the female officer, and the fourth one was fired at the roundabout. He said the shooter immediately bent to the right, meters away he turned and fired another shot while on the run. PW2 further explained that he could not see the shooter clearly because they were behind and chasing him. He, however, described the shooter as a tall, slim man and was wearing ‘kaftan’. In his examination in chief, L.J. Darboe, defence counsel for the first accused person, asked PW2: “As a military officer, was it your function to collect evidence to crime scenes?” Jarju indicated that it was his function to gather evidence at crime scenes as military personnel. He took an oath to protect lives and properties of people, and protect the territorial integrity of this country, he said. After the scene, he explained, he found an empty case of pistol which he eventually handed over to his friend Omar Jallow for confirmation and finally handed it to Inspector Bah, after he was made to understand that Mr Bah was a police officer at the Anti-Crime Unit. The case was adjourned until 13 November 2023 for continuation of examination in chief of PW2

26 Persons Convicted For Violating Operation Clear The Roads

At least 56 people were last week arrested for being non-compliant with the police operations designed to dismantle illegal structures of the highways. Twenty-six were arraigned before a court and sentenced to pay a fine of D1000 each after they pleaded guilty. The rest are expected to be arraigned before the court today to answer to the charges levelled against them. This development was confirmed by the acting police spokesperson, Cadet ASP Modou Sissaho during a short visit by the GPF Taskforce headed by Landing Bojang and accompanied by Police Commissioner King Colley and other senior officers to Abuko where 51 cattle were confined as a result of loitering on the highway in various places. The said cattle were eventually taken to a designated place in Abuko, where owners were expected to come and identify their livestock. National Livestock Owners Association (NALOA) which is among the GPF Taskforce was also given the responsibility of ensuring that any cattle owner who comes to identify his or her animal pays a fine of D5,000. According to PRO Cadet ASP Sissaho, this fine of D5,000 per head of cattle was agreed by the GPF Taskforce headed by Landing Bojang and assisted by Police Commissioner King Colley. He cited that the initial arrangement per cattle was D5,500 but the Taskforce reduced it to (D5,000) per cattle. The police PRO explained that one of the reasons for coming up with the D5,000 fine is to ensure that livestock owners take full responsibility of their animals. “This will serve as a deterrent to others,” he said, while indicating that serious accidents sometimes occur as a result of cattle loitering on the road. He emphasised that GPF has established a monitoring team for the operation to clear the road and anyone found wanting will face the full force of the law. He added that the operation spares no one as it is national duty. Ebrima O. Jallow, president of NALOA, confirmed that the confined cattle were picked from various locations within the Greater Banjul Area and West Coast Region. He said this was part of the operation to clear the road. He seized the opportunity to plead with the Taskforce to reduce the said charges for the cattle owners as things are difficult.

SPECIAL SECURITY OPERATION REMOVES FIFTY-ONE CATTLE FROM OUR HIGHWAYS

The Livestock Owners Association's component of the task force has successfully removed fifty-one (51) cattle from our highways, spanning from Brikama Nyambai to Brusubi Turntable. As previously announced, cattle owners have been reporting to Abuko to identify their cattle. Following this process, the task force has returned twenty-two (22) cattle to their respective owners after they provided evidence of ownership and witnesses. For each cattle, the owner is asked to pay D5,000.00 and issued a strong warning that if these cattle are found on the roads again, owners will be prosecuted. The public, especially cattle owners, are reminded to keep their animals off public utility areas, and anyone found in violation will be subject to the above-mentioned penalties

Burama Sanneh, Gambia's Result-oriented Diplomat

When Burama Sanneh was appointed a Gambian diplomat in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia a lot of eyebrows were raised, with many people questioning why this political genuis gifted with the mastery of words would venture into a wrong field. There was opposition in both the camps of the governing National People’s Party and the opposition. Most people described Fabou’s appointment as a blunder which would boomerang negatively on the NPP grassroots politics. 

The Kiang Batelling Nyancho heard it all but decided not to waste his energy on a response. His strategy was to Walk the Talk and allow the result to Speak for Itself. As a pragmatic loyalist to the spirit of nation building, Fabou is set for his mission to serve his country and her people with sincerity and due diligence. His goal was to add meaning and flavour to the Gambia’s diplomatic business in Saudi Arabia. It didn’t take long for Gambians to blow Fabou’s trumpet. How he had mobilised human and material resources to evacuate Gambian students from the war torn Sudan remains on the lips of Gambians. 

In July this year, Mr. Sanneh was praised for standing up for Gambian pilgrims at Jeddah Airport. Gambian historian Dembo Fatty, who described Fabou a NYANCHO TRUE AND TRUE, wrote below statement about the diplomat on his Facebook page. 

This past Saturday our group was scheduled to fly out from Jeddah to Gambia. We were scheduled to fly out 9.20am which was pushed further. We shared a waiting lounge with some Nigerian pilgrims and the place was jam packed with many standing without seats. After about an hour, the Nigerians left much to the relief of the Gambian pilgrims that were standing and so we took advantage of the empty seats that were available. Some twenty minutes later, some airport officials asked us leave the area that was occupied by the Nigerian pilgrims to be used by Indian pilgrims. We were almost about to leave when Fabou Sanneh intervened and told the Gambian pilgrims not to leave and from afar I saw him talking to the airport officials that the Gambians will not give up their seats for Indian pilgrims. Whatever his line of argument was, I don’t know but it looks the officials backed out and the rest was history. I would have been one of the Gambian pilgrims to give up their seats having already endured extended period of standing in the hall. Thank you for standing up for your people. We appreciate your efforts and many grateful pilgrims salute you. You were a Nyancho true and true that day. 

Fabou understands that success in any field hinges on one’s ability to network well. His intensive efforts to search for opportunities for Gambian youths in Saudi Arabia paid off after he networked with one Saikou Touray. This led to the trial of four young female soccer players and a coach in the persons of Aminata Gaye, Adel Mendy, Teddy Sirreh Jatta, Elizabeth Ndeke and coach Modou Lamin Nyassi. Fabou broke the news on his Facebook page. The five young Gambians arrived in Jeddah on Tuesday for trials with Al Nors AJ Academy in Jeddah. Coach Nyassi will help set up the training manual and other logistics for Al Nors AJ Academy. This came as a result of an MOU I signed with two female soccer clubs to scout talent from the Gambia. The two clubs are also building female soccer academies in the Gambia while one of them, Al Intillaga sports club, promised to build and develop a sister club under their name in the Gambia. This is what we call economic diplomacy. On behalf of the office and staff of the consulate in Jeddah, we seek your prayers for the success of these girls as will certainly open gates for others. This was all possible through one, Mr. Saikou Touray, who has been the source of connection. Mr Touray has been a resident of Jeddah for over twenty years, and his quest for development partners for the Gambia is adorable. May Allah help him in his dreams. 

Who then will dispute that Gambian Consular in Jeddah is not producing exceptional results? A diplomat who cannot produce results is not worth the salt. 

Ends

Ansarudeen Fraternity Chief Meets Gambia High Commissioner

Imam Bai Ebrima Cham, Chief Executive of Ansarudeen Fraternity paid a courtesy call on H.E Dr Fatou Bensouda, High Commissioner of the Gambia in U.K . Sheikh Bai Cham was accompanied by Mr. Ebrahim Nyass and Aji Suma Secka to present a special letter of invitation for their 27th years of Gamo by the fraternity in the United Kingdom. Sheikh Bai Cham and his delegation presented a framed ornament and decorative mat to Her Excellency and reiterated the group’s promise to work closely with the Mission. Sheikh Cham said His work in religious and community affairs is to ‘unite African community and create a good and brotherly relation between the Gambia and other African countries such as Senegal, Nigeria, Ghana, etc. through their activities and fraternity.” The Ansarudeen fraternity engages in inculcating good ethics in the younger generation and also imbues the values of spirituality. He went on to state that, “the High Commissioner can expect his support and collaboration to help the Mission achieve its goals.” Bai Cham finally thanked his delegation for their support and commitment and equally commended the High Commissioner for her open-door policy. On her part, H.E Dr Fatou Bensouda commended Sheikh Bai Cham and his delegation for the special courtesy visit and invitation. She equally reiterates that “her doors are open to meet and discuss with Gambians on every issue of national importance.” She will continue to maintain an open-door policy. Her Excellency emphasised that “it is the duty of the older generation to lay a concrete foundation for the betterment of the future generation.” Gambians according to H.E Bensouda should be ‘one family and close ranks, work together and be each other’s keeper.” She confirms to Imam Ebrima Bai Cham that, she will God-Willing grace the occasion. The GAMO will take place on the 28th of October 2023 at 139 Ormside Street, SE15 1TF. Ends