Former Jungler Bai Lowe Sentenced To Life In Prison

Bai Lowe, one of the assassins in the Jammeh-era hit squad known as the ‘Junglers', has today been sentenced to life imprisonment by a German court for his participation in an act that killed Deyda Hydara, the managing editor and co-proprietor of The Point Newspaper. He was convicted of crimes against humanity, murder, and attempted murder for his role as a driver for the hit squad known as the Junglers. “We are pleased to welcome the strongest verdict in Celle today," said Baba Hydara,the eldest son of Deyda Hydara . “This is a milestone judgment on every level, especially with regards to universal jurisdiction. We thank the judiciary for their tenacity and steadfastness in delivering justice today," Baba who is in Germany, added. As well as having a role in Hydara’s killing, prosecutors accuse Lowe of involvement in the attempted assassination of lawyer Ousman Sillah, and the murder of Dawda Nyassi, a suspected opponent of the president. Lowe claimed to be a political refugee who was afraid for his life under Jammeh when he came in Europe via Senegal in December 2012. In March 2021, he was arrested in Germany due to the charges. The law’s “long arm”

According to investigators, one piece of evidence against Lowe is a phone conversation he did in 2013 with a Gambian radio station in the US, during which he admitted to taking part in the attacks. However, Lowe said in a statement read out to the court that he had only reiterated what other persons had informed him regarding the case’s details in order to highlight Jammeh’s government’s brutality. Jammeh ruled Gambia with an iron fist for 22 years but fled the country in January 2017 after losing a presidential election to relative unknown Adama Barrow. He refused to acknowledge the results but was forced out by a popular uprising and fled to Equatorial Guinea. “The long arm of the law has caught up to Bai Lowe in Germany… as it will hopefully soon catch up to Jammeh himself,” said Reed Brody, a lawyer with the International Commission of Jurists who works with Jammeh’s victims. Along with former interior minister Ousman Sonko, who has been under investigation in Switzerland since 2017, and another accused former Jungler, Michael Sang Correa, who was indicted in June 2020 in the United States, Lowe is one of three alleged collaborators of Jammeh who are being held abroad. Earlier this year, the Gambian administration said that it was collaborating with the regional ECOWAS bloc to establish a tribunal that would try individuals who committed crimes under Jammeh.

The Victims' Centre (VC) in The Gambia has also welcomed the verdict. “The VC, CSOs, and other victim-led organisations welcome the verdict of Bai Lowe's life sentence.It is highly welcome and has come at the right time,” Adama Jalllow, the coordinator of VC said. “This is a signal for other perpetrators who are on the run to understand that they cannot escape justice." The VC and other victim-led organisations will continue to pursue justice for the victims.”

Mama Jabbi`s Phone Printouts Tendered In Court

The trial of Ousainou Bojang and sister proceeded before justice Jaiteh of the High court in Banjul. It could be recall that PW3 Mama Jabbi was still in the witness box facing defence lawer Lamin J Darboe for cross examination after her maraton testimony. During the last sitting Lawyer L J Darboe have applied for court to ask the GSM companies to produce the call printouts of the witness before the court. Ousainou Bojang who is accused of Killing the two officers and injuring one while the sister helped him to escape the Jurisdiction. During the last adjournment, Counsel J. Darboe requested the production of Mama Jabbi's call records from Africell and Qcell, which was granted by the Court. The Africell call records were tendered as Exhibit C1, and a data analyst from Africell named Abubacarr Jallow brought the documents to the court. Counsel J. Darboe and Faraje confirmed the authenticity of the documents without objection. However, the state counsel, the Director of Public Prosecution, objected to the document, citing the Evidence Act's Section 22 regarding the admissibility of computer-generated documents. The Presiding Judge, Jaiteh, overruled the objection, stating that the computer's calculations were advanced and the information provided was accurate. Counsel J. Darboe proceeded with the cross-examination, starting from the previous proceeding on November 28th, 2023.

He asked Mama Jabbi if she had made a statement with the police regarding the matter, to which she replied affirmatively, stating that she made the statement at the anti-crime unit. When asked about the timing of the statement, Mama Jabbi mentioned that she couldn't recall the exact date. Similarly, she couldn't remember how many days after her return from Jululung to The Gambia she had made the statement. She confirmed that she had provided her name as Mama Jabbie, her address as Sukuta, and her occupation as a housewife when asked by Counsel J. Darboe. She also confirmed providing two telephone numbers: 7837790 and 3829711. Mama Jabbi explained that she had removed the SIM cards due to receiving insults from people. Counsel J. Darboe inquired about Mama Jabbi's age 36 as she provided in her statement, to which she responded that she may have said that age but couldn't remember. He (Counsel J.

Darboe) further asked if she thumbprint the statement after it was taken, to which she answered affirmatively, adding after thumbprint she left the statement with the police, and Counsel J. Darboe applied to tender the statement as defence Exhibit, with no objection from the state counsel or the second defence counsel. The statement was marked and admitted as Exhibit D3. Counsel J. Darboe then asked Mama Jabbi about her claim that the accused met her at 2 pm in Jululung and she had taken a picture of him (Ousainou Bojang). Mama Jabbi confirmed both, stating that she had taken a picture of Ousainou Bojang. She further revealed that she had recorded her conversation with him, but she left the room and made a call when Ousaious Bojang allegedly confessed to killing someone. Counsel J. Darboe asked if she had the audio recording with her, and Mama Jabbi explained that she had deleted her WhatsApp due to receiving insults, so she no longer had the recording unless it was with someone else. Counsel J. Darboe asserted that the audio was circulating on the internet, but Mama Jabbi replied that she wasn't aware if that was the case. The cross-examination continued with questions about a police officer who called Mama Jabbi from The Gambia when Musa relayed her information about apprehending the accused in Jululung. Mama Jabbi clarified that she called Musa herself and no Gambia police officer contacted her. Counsel J. Darboe then inquired about when the accused had asked to use her phone as alleged by Mama in her statement, to which Mama Jabbi explained that it was after he (Ousainou Bojang) confessed to killing someone and then requested to call his sister.

The cross-examination proceeded with questions about Musa Camara's marital status, to which Mama Jabbi confirmed that he was married. Counsel J. Darboe referred to a previous statement where Mama Jabbi had mentioned meeting Musa only once at the GRA, to which the state counsel objected, requesting a direct quote instead of paraphrasing. The Court expunged the question from the record. Counsel J. Darboe asked how many times Mama Jabbi had met Musa within the last six months. She answered that she had only met him on the day they went to Jululung together to apprehend the accused and give a statement at the anti-crime unit. Counsel J. Darboe questioned whether Mama Jabbi had called Musa's wife before calling Musa himself. Mama Jabbi clarified that she called Musa's wife's number, and Musa picked up the call, as they were in communication throughout their time in Jululung. When asked if she knew Musa's wife personally, she confirmed that she did. The cross-examination then focused on the timeline of Mama Jabbi's presence in The Gambia and her whereabouts and actions during certain dates in August and September 2023. Counsel J. Darboe brings up the statement made by Mama Jabbi to the police in the defense exhibit D3. The counsel asks if Mama Jabbi stated that she left Gambia and went to Dakar on August 12th, 2023. Mama Jabbi confirms by saying that she left Dakar on Tuesday and arrived at Jululung at 2 am. Counsel J. Darboe then questions Mama Jabbi regarding her entire month-long absence from Gambia Mama Jabbi responds that she cannot remember. Counsel refers to exhibit C1, which consists of call records from August 17th to August 25th, 2023. According to the records, Mama Jabbi was in Gambia and did not go anywhere during that time. However, Mama Jabbi denies this and states that she doesn't recall. Continuing the cross-examination, Counsel J. Darboe mentions that Mama Jabbi crossed the border at Basori on September 10th, 2023, to reach Jululung. The counsel points out that Mama Jabbi disappeared for two days and reappeared in Senegal on September 12th. Mama Jabbi responds by dismissing this as the counsel's opinion and says that she doesn't know.

Counsel J. Darboe clarifies that it is not his opinion but is based on exhibit C1, which shows that Mama Jabbi was at Basori at 4 minutes to 5. However, Mama Jabbi again states that she cannot remember. Counsel Darboe then asserts that Mama Jabbi did not make any calls in Gambia on September 11th and 12th because she was not in Gambia. Mama Jabbi sticks to her previous response, stating that she cannot remember. Moving on, Counsel J. Darboe asks Mama Jabbi if she went to Brufut on September 13th when the accused person was apprehended and brought back to Gambia. Mama Jabbi confirms this and explains that she was with the police in Brufut after coming from Jululung. Senior Counsel then put to her that at 9:22 pm on September 13th, she (Mama Jabbi) was at Brufut junction, which is the workplace and home of the accused person. Mama Jabbi denies this by saying that she didn't go there. Counsel J. Darboe refers to exhibit C1 again, which indicates that Mama Jabbi's call records show her being at Brufut junction on September 13th at 9:22 pm. Mama Jabbi insists that it is not her. Counsel J. Darboe further asserts that Mama Jabbi did not go home to Sukuta but instead went to old Yundum after Brufut. Mama Jabbi denies this as well, stating that it is not her. Counsel J. Darboe refers to the call records once again, indicating that Mama Jabbi was at Old Yundum at 11:28 pm on September 13th when the first accused person was apprehended. Mama Jabbi reiterates that she cannot recall that information. Counsel J. Darboe informs Mama Jabbi that she spent the night at Old Yundum from September 13th to 14th. Mama Jabbi explains that she stayed there because people were insulting her online, preventing her from returning to her home at Sukuta. Continuing the cross-examination, Counsel J. Darboe questions Mama Jabbi about the telephone number 3829711. He asks if this number is registered under her name. Mama Jabbi clarified that she only uses it for WhatsApp and that the number was given to someone else. Counsel J. Darboe put to her that the telephone is registered under Musa Camara's name, not Mama Jabbi's. Mama Jabbi responds by saying that she knew it as her Qcel number for WhatsApp, not Musa's number. Counsel J. Darboe referred the count to Mama Jabbi's statement to the police, where she allegedly identified 3829711 as her telephone number. Mama Jabbi states that she doesn't remember and didn't memorize the number. At this point the Court adjourned the case to December 4th for continuatioon.

GPF INTERPOL WAPIS LAUNCHED AWARENESS CAMPAIGN

The Gambia Police Force, in collaboration with the INTERPOL WAPIS Programme, is conducting a ten-day awareness event from November 21st to 30th, 2023, across various regions nationwide, aimed at familiarizing officers with the WAPIS/AFIS system.

This system aims to empower West African law enforcement agencies in combating transnational crime and terrorism through more efficient information sharing. Day One & Two (November 21-22): Banjul and Kanifing Regions

The campaign kicked off in Banjul and Kanifing Regions, commencing with Mr. Lamin N Bajinka, Director of WAPIS Gambia, expressing gratitude to the Minister and Security heads for their unwavering support in implementing the WAPIS/AFIS system. He acknowledged the funding by the European Union and the invaluable assistance of INTERPOL.

Regional Commissioners welcomed the campaign team, highlighting the project's significance in enhancing law enforcement capabilities. They emphasized the importance of applying the knowledge gained from the sessions in their respective duty stations. Mr. Carlos Gonzalez, INTERPOL Country Officer for WAPIS Programme, stressed the functionality of the WAPIS/AFIS system as an electronic national police information system facilitating the management and sharing of crime-related data.

This system aids in criminal identification and supports ongoing investigations, allowing officers in West African countries access to pertinent criminal database information. Funded by the European Union, the program is implemented by INTERPOL.

The event featured various presentations by resource persons, including Deputy Commissioner Pateh Bah, who discussed the WAPIS Programme's implementation status in The Gambia. Additionally, CIP Momodou Sowe addressed the AFIS implementation stage, Inspector Malang Keita focused on the WAPIS database, and C/ASP Jacob Sambou presented the establishment of the Gambia Police Force International Affairs Unit (IAU). The campaign continues in the West Coast Region on November 23rd.

DCAF Security Center Launched

The DCAF Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance officially launched The Security Sector Reform Project at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara Conference Centre on November 22, 2023.

This project aims to enhance Improved Security, Migration, and Border Management, marking a significant milestone in bolstering both the Gambia Police Force and the broader Security Sector. Notable achievements include the development of the Gambia Police Force's inaugural police doctrine, improving operational efficiency.

During the event, Ken Isaac, Head of Office DCAF Banjul, highlighted the project's background and its support for the Gambia Police Force and Gambia Immigration Department (GID). Anne Bennette, DCAF Head Sub-Saharan Africa Division, emphasized the initiative's goal of elevating the Gambia Police Force to international standards.

Minister of Interior, Hon. Seyaka Sonko, commended the European Union for its continuous support to his ministry, recognizing this project as a significant milestone for the Gambian Security Sector. Commissioner Sambujang Fatty, representing the Inspector General of Police Abdoulie Sanyang, also commended DCAF for the continuous support and partnership.

Other speakers at the event included H.E Corrado Pampaloni, the Ambassador of the EU, Sophie Frediani, Principal Programme Manager, and Senior SSR Adviser, as well as Foday Fofana, DCAF Project Officer.

Lawyer Request For Call Print Out Of PW3 In PIU Shooting

The trial of Ousainou Bojang and sister have proceeded at the High Court of The Gambia before Justice Ebrima Jaiteh for cross examination of the third prosecution witness Mama Jabbie. Appearing before the court for the defence was lawyer Lamin L J Darboe. Defence Lawyer L.J. Darboe applied for the court to issue an order for Africell and Qcell to produce call records of the third prosecuting witness. The defence lawyer L J Darboe appearing before Justice E. Jaiteh of the High Court filed a notice for the court to order to the two GSM operators to produce Mama Jabbie’s call records. The witness further testified that she had two telephones and one had Africell and the other Qcell, adding that she did not know the numbers off-head but she was able to recognise the numbers when defence lawyer LJ Darboe read them to her in court. She said she used to receive calls and get insulted. “That's why I removed my Qcell SIM card,” she said. She explained that after the Jululung officers took the accused away from her friend’s compound, subsequently, she called Musa Camara who was working at the Gambia Revenue Authority and informed him that “the killer” was there with her.

She said she met Musa Camara once when they were travelling together from Jululung to The Gambia, and also he was the one she knew at the police and had his number, adding that Musa Camara told her to wait while he called the Gambia Police. Subsequently, she said she received a call from Musa and was asked to meet him with the Gambia Police at Giboro. After the call, she narrated, she boarded a motorcycle to the said place and met with them and they moved to Jululung.

She concluded that Ousainou was handed over to the Gambia police by the Jululung officers at the Seleti border. However, she said she did not receive any payment to capture the accused, Ousainou Bojang, and was not aware of the Gambian president’s one million bounty for anyone who would capture the accused. She further revealed that when Ousainou arrived at her compound on Wednesday around 2 p.m., he was directed by the leader of Jululung garage, adding that Ousainou found her with a friend who was cooking while she was on the phone talking. The case was adjourned until 28 November 2023.

GAMTEL Suffers Fibre Cable Cuts Around Brufut

GAMTEL is still being affected by concurrent fibre cable cuts which courses serious interruptions of service delivery. This time around the fibre cable cuts happened back to back within weeks between the Gamtel Brufut junction going into Brufut Ghana town. A very disruptive and costly damage caused by a NAWEC water subcontractor call DOKU.

A n A - 2 x 48 core cable tubes that connects multitude of customers completelly was mutilated thereby rendered off service to many customers in an around the country. Seeing the cables, the pipes, and several pieces of materials damaged, and left abandoned by the NAWEC contracted workers was eye soaring.

Speaking to our reporter the managing director of GAMTEL Lamin A Tunkara said “ this had happened before and we restored, and we are reliving the same experiences again. The proof is in the optics. Our customers are seriously affected. More especially customers like our GSM operators, including Netpage, QCell, and their customers”

Managing director Tunkara continues “if you are guessing how deep the trenches are, or asking how do we protect these network cables, please take note of what we share here in the photos attached. At a minimum, we dig down to a meter. Cables are laid, backfilled, and at half way from the bottom of the pit, a very a very visible WARNING NET is placed on top and inscribed on it is the number 144 call for direction” “ No one would have said that that the trenches are not deep enough, or the cables not placed with protection. We did not only protect our cables but we put WARNING SIGNS ON THEM” Tunkara concluded. He call on the general public to report irregular activities and cable cuts as and when it happened.