Two Convicted in Bijilo Land Fraud: Court Orders D2.5 Million Compensation

By JarranewsTV Staff Reporter

The Banjul Magistrate’s Court, presided over by Principal Magistrate M. Krubally, has convicted two men—Omar Sey and Dembo Touray—for their involvement in a fraudulent land transaction in Bijilo that defrauded a buyer of D2.5 million.

In a judgment delivered on October 20, 2025, Magistrate Krubally found both accused guilty of conspiracy to defraud and obtaining money by false pretence, while the first accused, Omar Sey, was further convicted on four additional counts of forgery, uttering false documents, and giving false information to a public officer.

             Background of the Case

The case, prosecuted by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), arose from a land transaction in which the complainant, Mbackeh Sowe, purchased a plot in Bijilo for D2,500,000. Evidence presented in court revealed that the rightful owner of the land, Baba Mustapha Marong, a retired Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Information, neither issued a power of attorney nor authorized any sale of the property.

According to testimony, Omar Sey presented a fraudulent power of attorney purportedly signed by Mr. Marong and produced a false police report claiming that the original documents were lost. He then used those falsified papers to conduct a search at the Ministry of Lands, process a Deed of Assignment, and execute the fraudulent sale to the complainant.

The prosecution called five witnesses, including the intermediaries involved in the sale and the true owner of the property, who confirmed that the land was still lawfully his

               Findings of the Court

In delivering judgment, Magistrate Krubally held that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt. The court found that both accused acted jointly to defraud the complainant.

The magistrate dismissed Sey’s defence—that he acted on the instruction of an unknown individual identified only as “Mr. Njie”—as implausible. His own cautionary statement, tendered as Exhibit B, confirmed his active role in processing the fraudulent documents.

Regarding Dembo Touray, the court found that although he denied direct involvement in document forgery, his repeated presence during the payment stages and his admission of receiving a commission demonstrated his complicity.

       Sentencing and Compensation Orders

Magistrate Krubally described the offences as “aggravated acts of calculated deceit”, before imposing the following sentences:

Omar Sey (First Accused):

Convicted on six counts—including conspiracy, obtaining by false pretence, forgery, uttering, and giving false information.

Fine: D5,000 on each count (total D30,000), in default six months’ imprisonment per count (total three years).

Compensation Order: D1,900,000 to the victim, in default six years’ imprisonment.

The court directed that default sentences shall run consecutively.

Dembo Touray (Second Accused):

Convicted on two counts of conspiracy and false pretence.

Fine: D5,000 on each count (total D10,000), in default six months’ imprisonment per count (total one year).

Compensation Order: D600,000 to the victim, in default two years’ imprisonment.

The default sentences are also to run consecutively.

In accordance with Section 191 of the Criminal Offences Act (2025), the magistrate granted the prosecution’s application for compensation, emphasizing the financial losses suffered by the complainant

Mitigation and Pleas for Leniency

Both convicts, described as first-time offenders, entered pleas for leniency.

Omar Sey cited health concerns and told the court that he had D1,000,000 ready through his counsel as part payment of compensation.

Dembo Touray pleaded for mercy, explaining that he is a family man with three wives and several dependents.

The court noted their pleas but maintained that the seriousness of the offence warranted a deterrent sentence.

Has the UDP Lost Its Bearings?

The recent appointment of Pa Manneh of Brikama as the new campaign manager of the United Democratic Party (UDP) has raised serious questions about the party’s direction and judgment. For a movement that once symbolized steadfast opposition, democratic ideals, and moral integrity, this decision may prove to be one of its gravest missteps.

Pa Manneh is not a new figure within the UDP. As one of the party’s early members and former youth leader, he played a pivotal role during its formative years. Yet, his political record since then has been marred by controversy and mistrust. During the turbulent years following the collapse of the National Alliance for Democracy and Development (NADD) in 2006, it was widely alleged that Pa Manneh and others were compromised by the former regime of Yahya Jammeh — acting as informants against the very opposition they once championed.

Those allegations gained further weight when Pa Manneh eventually crossed over to the ruling APRC, serving as an elected councillor under Jammeh’s government until the regime’s fall in 2017. His subsequent return to the UDP after Jammeh’s exile was seen by many as a calculated move rather than an act of reconciliation.

Fast forward to today: the UDP, weakened by internal resignations and factional infighting — notably the departure of Talib Ahmed Bensouda and other key figures — seems to be struggling to regain coherence. The choice of Pa Manneh as campaign manager, therefore, reflects not strategic renewal, but desperation.

For a party that once stood as the moral compass of Gambian politics, entrusting its campaign machinery to a figure with such a chequered political history undermines its credibility and alienates its base. It signals a party adrift — uncertain of its values, haunted by internal disarray, and seemingly willing to sacrifice principle for expedience.

If the UDP is to remain relevant in the evolving political landscape, it must confront these contradictions head-on. Otherwise, history may remember this decision not as a revival, but as the moment the UDP truly lost its bearings.

Editorial: A Beacon of Hope and Compassion — Celebrating the Visionary Leadership of Her Excellency Fatoumatta Bah Barrow

     

 

By JarraNewsTV Editorial Board

In a time when the world yearns for compassionate leadership, Her Excellency Fatoumatta Bah Barrow, First Lady of the Republic of The Gambia, continues to stand tall as a symbol of humility, dedication, and transformative service. Through her tireless humanitarian work and the far-reaching initiatives of the Fatoumatta Bah Barrow Foundation (FaBB), she has profoundly impacted the lives of countless Gambians — especially women, children, and the most vulnerable.

Her Excellency’s leadership is one rooted in quiet strength and deep compassion. Rather than grandstanding, she has let her work speak for itself — touching communities across the country and bringing tangible change to ordinary lives. From health to education, from clean water to empowerment, her initiatives reflect a vision anchored in service and sustainability.

In the health sector, the First Lady’s efforts have revitalized hope for thousands. Through the provision of medical equipment, support to hospitals, and nationwide campaigns for maternal and child health, she has become a champion of wellbeing for families in both urban and rural Gambia. Her commitment to ensuring that women and children receive quality healthcare stands as a cornerstone of her humanitarian agenda.

Equally inspiring is her unwavering commitment to education, particularly in advancing the rights and opportunities of the girl child. Her Excellency has persistently advocated for girls’ education — offering scholarships, improving school facilities, and mentoring young women to believe in their potential. Her philosophy that “an educated girl is an empowered nation” continues to resonate, opening doors for many who might otherwise have been left behind.

Her compassion, however, extends even further. Through the Fatoumatta Bah Barrow Foundation, the First Lady has spearheaded a clean water initiative that has changed the face of many rural communities. By installing solar-powered boreholes, she has brought safe and reliable drinking water to families who once struggled daily for access. This intervention has gone beyond improving health — it has created new economic opportunities.

Women gardeners, in particular, have reaped enormous benefits as they now have consistent access to water for their crops. This has boosted agricultural productivity, increased household income, and strengthened local economies. In essence, Her Excellency has turned water — once a burden — into a source of empowerment and prosperity.

Her organizational prowess and her ability to bring people together around a common goal have earned her immense respect both at home and abroad. By fostering partnerships between government agencies, international donors, and grassroots organizations, she has amplified the reach and impact of her work. Her leadership is a blend of compassion and competence — a model of what humanitarian service should look like in the 21st century.

At JarraNewsTV, we recognize Her Excellency Fatoumatta Bah Barrow not just as The Gambia’s First Lady, but as a mother of the nation, a unifier, and a beacon of inspiration to women across Africa and beyond. Her kindness, humility, and tireless devotion to humanity reflect the very best of Gambian values — compassion, hard work, and collective progress.

As the nation continues on its journey toward inclusive development, the legacy of Fatoumatta Bah Barrow will remain etched in our hearts — a legacy defined by hope, empowerment, and the relentless pursuit of a better future for all.

JarraNewsTV Editorial Board

In celebration of exemplary leadership and humanitarian excellence.

Gambia Police Hand Over Murder Suspect to Senegalese Authorities

By JarranewsTV Staff Reporter

Banjul, October 20, 2025

The Gambia Police Force (GPF), through its National Central Bureau (NCB) at Police Headquarters in Banjul, has officially handed over murder suspect Borry Sonko to the Senegalese National Police.

Sonko is accused of killing his pregnant wife, Bintou Manjang, in the Senegalese town of Bingona before allegedly fleeing into Gambian territory. His arrest followed swift and coordinated efforts by Gambian police officers in collaboration with the victim’s family.

During the handover ceremony on Sunday, October 19, 2025, the Senegalese National Police also returned to the GPF a truck with a Gambian registration number that had been intercepted in Senegal as part of related investigations.

Police officials described the operation as a further demonstration of the growing cooperation between The Gambia and Senegal in tackling transnational and organized crime. The latest collaboration comes on the heels of several successful cross-border operations, including the arrest and transfer of Ebou Secka and Buba Drammeh, who were handed over to Gambian authorities after being apprehended in Senegal for capital offenses. The GPF also recently transferred a murder suspect from Wellingara (Senegal) to the Senegalese Police in Basse.

According to officials, the joint operations send a strong message that “there is no safe haven for criminals in either country.”

The Gambia and Senegal have reaffirmed their commitment to mutual assistance and law enforcement cooperation under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the two police institutions.

In a statement, the GPF emphasized its “unwavering commitment to cross-border collaboration, upholding the rule of law, and ensuring justice for victims of serious crimes.”

Together, the two nations continue to stand firm against transnational crime — promoting safety, justice, and accountability across their shared borders.

THE VULTURE WHO RETURNED TOO LATE: A RESPONSE TO GAGIGO’S MISGUIDED ATTACK ON PRESIDENT BARROW

By Yaya Dampha, NPP Diaspora Coordinator – Sweden

It is both ironic and pitiful that Gagigo — a man whose voice was completely absent during the dark years of Yahya Jammeh’s brutal dictatorship — has suddenly reappeared, wagging his finger at those who actually stood up when it mattered. After decades of silence, he now wishes to lecture President Adama Barrow and the Gambian people on moral courage. How convenient.

Let’s not mince words: this is the real vulture — one who feeds on the sweat, blood, and sacrifice of others. While Gambians risked everything to reclaim their freedom, Gagigo was nowhere to be found. He neither spoke up nor stood up. He vanished during the struggle, only to reemerge now that democracy has been secured by others.

WHERE WAS GAGIGO WHEN GAMBIA NEEDED HIM?

When Adama Barrow, alongside countless ordinary citizens, dared to confront Jammeh’s regime at great personal risk, Gagigo was missing in action.

When activists were jailed, when journalists were silenced, when innocent Gambians were tortured or exiled, Gagigo’s name was nowhere in the fight.

Now that the nation has triumphed — through courage, through unity, through sacrifice — Gagigo seeks to claim the moral high ground. This is not courage. It is cowardice wrapped in ambition.

Leadership is not tested when the coast is clear. It is tested in the storm. And while Adama Barrow stood up when it was dangerous, Gagigo only appeared when it was safe — and when he saw political opportunity.

ON BARROW’S ROLE AND GAGIGO’S CONVENIENT AMNESIA

It is laughable for anyone, least of all Gagigo, to downplay President Barrow’s historic role in leading the coalition that ended 22 years of dictatorship.

Barrow didn’t inherit power — he earned it through the will of the Gambian people, united behind a cause that demanded courage and conviction.

To suggest otherwise is an insult not only to Barrow but to every Gambian who cast a vote for change in 2016, every activist who risked arrest, every journalist who refused to be silenced.

Gagigo’s attempt to erase that sacrifice is not political commentary — it’s intellectual dishonesty.

THE REAL MORAL FAILURE

Gagigo pontificates about “moral authority” and “transitional justice,” yet he carries no record of moral courage. Where was his voice when Gambians were crying for justice under Jammeh? Where was his pen when the TRRC victims were still being silenced? Where was his outrage when innocent people disappeared into Jammeh’s dungeons?

He was silent. He was comfortable. And now he is ambitious.

It is the height of hypocrisy for a man who contributed nothing to the fight to suddenly question those who bore the brunt of it.

BARROW STOOD WHEN OTHERS HID

President Barrow’s record is not one of perfection — no leader’s is — but it is one of courage, patience, and national unity. He stood when many fell silent. He led when others hesitated. And he continues to steer a nation that is rebuilding itself after two decades of fear and division.

Those who today throw stones from the sidelines were spectators when it mattered. They want to reap the harvest from a field they never tilled.

That, fellow Gambians, is the true image of a political vulture.

LET THE PEOPLE REMEMBER

The Gambian people have not forgotten who was there in 2016 — who stood in the rain and the sun, who risked their lives to make change possible. And they will not be fooled by those who appear years later pretending to care for a cause they abandoned when it mattered most.

So yes, if Gagigo feels attacked by President Barrow’s metaphor of “vultures,” he should check the mirror. Sometimes, the truth hurts precisely because it fits.

FINAL WORD

Gambia’s democracy was built on sacrifice — not opportunism.

It was sustained by courage — not cowardice.

It was defended by doers — not talkers.

And so, as the nation looks ahead, let us beware of vultures circling above the progress we’ve made — those who contributed nothing but now wish to feast on the fruits of others’ struggle.

President Adama Barrow led when it was hard. Gagigo only arrived when it was easy.

History will remember the difference.

Editorial: The Contradictions of Essa Faal’s Public Life

By JarraNews TV Editorial Board=

"When arrogance takes root, wisdom dies — and with it, every chance of true success"

In politics, credibility is earned through consistency. When words and deeds move in opposite directions, the public has a duty to question them. That is the dilemma confronting Essa Faal, the former Lead Counsel of The Gambia’s Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC), whose recent political outbursts have drawn attention to the contradictions in his own record.

Faal rose to national prominence through the TRRC hearings, where he demanded accountability for abuses under Yahya Jammeh’s rule. Yet critics point out that his own career began inside that same system. He served as a state prosecutor during the early Jammeh years—an era remembered for swift trials and heavy sentences against alleged coup plotters. Those choices may have been lawful, but they hardly resemble the fearless dissent he now celebrates.

When the TRRC was still at its most sensitive stage, Faal stepped away to pursue politics. The Commission’s final report, while historic, remains incomplete in key areas; its recommendations continue to gather dust. Supporters call his departure a personal decision, but many Gambians saw it as ambition interrupting national duty. A process meant to close one painful chapter of our history ended with fresh questions about motive and follow-through.

Internationally, Faal’s résumé includes service on the defense team at the Special Court for Sierra Leone, which tried former Liberian president Charles Taylor. Defending war-crimes suspects is a right in international law, yet the contrast between that work and his current moral sermonizing invites scrutiny. One cannot champion victims at home while having stood for perpetrators abroad without explaining the bridge between those roles.

Today, Faal positions himself as the fiercest critic of President Adama Barrow, accusing the government of creeping authoritarianism. Dissent is healthy in any democracy, but accusation without substantiation weakens the opposition and cheapens national debate. What Gambians need are policies, not personal vendettas—clarity of vision, not sound bites on talk shows.

Essa Faal’s story is therefore not only about one man’s ambition; it is a mirror of our political culture. Too often, we elevate personalities before examining their records. Accountability must apply to everyone who claims the moral high ground—including those who once occupied powerful seats in the very systems they now condemn.

The Gambia deserves a politics built on honesty, consistency, and service—not reinvention.