Numukunku Darboe, Lawyer Ousainou Darboe's Father.

During the course of the Cherno Baldeh trial, P.S Njie stayed in the small but emerging town of Bansang where he forged strong bonds with prominent members of the town. Amongst these men was Numukunda Darboe, a man of repute, an erudite Islamic scholar who never went through the formal education process, but through his will, passion, and persistence learned to read and write English in adulthood under the tutelage of his great friend, the late Foday Sidibeh. The strong bond between him and P.S Njie, a young Ousainou Darboe was entrusted to the foster care of the Banjul Lawyer under whose guardianship he completed his education in Banjul.

 In 1959, P.S. Njie needed a candidate to represent the United Party in Fulladu constituency. He call his loyal friend Numukunda Darboe. Numukunda’s move was risky and highly controversial especially at a period when partisan politics in Bansang and the country was decided largely along tribal lines. It did not matter to Numukunda P.S Njie was not a Mandinka. It did not matter Pierre Njie was not from the provinces.

 Numukunda contested his first elections in 1960, which he lost to Kebba Leigh and the PPP. He accepted defeat with grace and humility. Despite the endless taunting, discrimination, and intimidation launched against prominent opponents of the PPP in the country, Numukunda Darboe never buckled. In fact, Ousainou Darboe will see the first case of his father’s bravery that sunny morning when loaded his shotgun and laid in wait for the PPP caravans that rolled through Bansang, Among reports of all the arsons, plundering, and physical abuses PPP militants meted out on perceived opponents across the country, it is safe to say that Bansang was one town that was spared the nuisance – go figure. Sanjally Bojang who Lawyer Darboe once defended in a court case will fondly remind Ousainou Darboe about the valor and upright character of his father Numukunda Darboe

Numukunda will recover from the electoral defeat of 1960 to launch his campaign across Fulladu on his bicycle, knocking on doors and selling the agenda of the United Party to anyone willing to listen. He would eventually win Fulladu and the subsequent parliamentary elections against Alieu Marong of Georgetown, and Kebba Jawara of Bansang. The fact that Numukunda Darboe would defy the Mandinkas to side with the other tribes and become the only Mandinka opposition member in the house of representatives

 By Sheriff Kora (Guest opinion piece freedomnews paper, July 29th, 2016)

Gunmen Attack Pharamacy In Essau, The Gambia.

Tuesday, August 08, 2017

Seven people armed with gun have robbed Hajo Jarra Pharmacy in Essau village early hours of Friday morning, between the hours of 02:00 to 03:30, residents said.

The pharmacy is located opposite Essau health centre along Barra-Amdalai Highway.  It is just about 200 metres from the military base in Essau and approximately 150 metres from the Essau police checkpoint. 

The pharmacy owner, Jimmy Coker, said though no one died, the watchman was “seriously beaten” and currently admitted at Essau health centre.

Also, the armed robbers broke the safe in the pharmacy and went away with cash amount of at least D10,000, he said.

Momodou Jallow, the watchman, said the armed robbers came to the pharmacy on foot and it was seven of them.

“One of them scaled over the fence, entered the compound and called out my name, saying ‘Momodou Jallow be prepared for us because today we will kill you’.  He (the robber) started to kick me at my ribs but I also managed to stab him with my knife at his ribs and that was when the others rushed to me and started to hit me.

“I managed to escape and ran to the army camp when the armies arrived and they started to exchange gunshots.”

Jallow sustained series of injuries on his head and other parts of his body.

Mr Coker, the pharmacy owner,  said: “I was not around when the armed robbers came; I was at Serekunda health centre but my daughter, Anna Coker, who was in the compound in Essau called me, saying ‘dad please help me alarm the police; I can’t talk that much, there are armed robbers in the compound right now.’”

“I phoned Barra police station but could not get through the line.  I then called one of my friends who is an immigration officer at Denton Bridge to help contact Barra station.

“But he called back to say Barra police said they did not have fuel to go to the scene. Later, my daughter managed to call one of her ECOMIG (Ecowas soldiers in Gambia) friends who, together with some Gambian soldiers, came to rescue them but the moment they arrived, they started to exchange gunshots with the armed robbers.”

‘Swift police response’

However, the public relations officer of the police said as soon as Barra police station received information about the armed robbery, the men prepared and left for the scene.

“When Barra station got the information, some officers prepared and left for the scene but when the robbers saw them coming, they fired at them,” PRO Inspector Foday Conta said.  “Because the police had no gun, they had to take cover, meaning they hide so that the bullet would not hit them.  They then called the military.”

However, he confirmed that by the time the police arrived, the armed robbers were apparently done – they had broken the safe and taken the money already.

He continued:  “But the coming of the police delayed the departure of the armed robbers, they could not go out because maybe they were not sure whether the police were armed or not.  When the police took cover, they called the army and when the soldiers came, there was exchange of fire between them and the armed robbers. 

“But unfortunately, because of the darkness of the night, the robbers left the scene and the army could not trace them.” 

Conta said at the scene, the police recovered unspecified number of empty bullet case of single barrel gun (local gun) which was used by the armed robbers and empty bullet case of AK47 that was used by the men of the armed forces.

One of the robbers, he said, was injured as evidenced by the bloodstain after the attackers left. 

“The police tried to follow the bloodstain but it could not lead them to anywhere and so far, no suspect has been arrested,” the police PRO said.

Author: Lamin Jahateh & Ousman A Marong

Gambia Truth, Reconciliation And Reparations Commission (TRC) Launched.

The launching of Gambia’s much talked about Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRC) suffered a major setback due to overbooking at the Djembe Hotel. In order to avoid the cancellation of the launching ceremony, the event was hosted at a bedroom space, according to sources. Guests to the event congregated into the master bedroom, where the event is currently taking place.
 Djembe beach hotel is owned by Mr. Malleh Sallah, the number two man at the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC). The Justice Ministry booked for a conference room to host the event at Malleh’s hotel, but sadly officials of the Fisheries Ministry have already occupied the conference room. There is a Fisheries conference taking place at the conference room for the past two days, sources familiar with the story said.
Earlier on, guests attending the launching of the TRC waited for hours before the Justice Minister would arrive at the event. The program stared late, according to sources.
Frustrated event attendees have described the venue for the launching of the TRC as a “holding cell.”  The venue has been over congested with guests, sources said.
In another development, the event has been abruptly suspended, pending the completion of the Fisheries conference so that the TRC event can be relocated to the hotel’s conference room.
“They have just stopped to wait for the Fisheries officials to finish for them to move into the conference room. It is impossible to use the bedroom for the launching.  We are running two hours late,” said one guest attending the launching ceremony.
Written By Pa Nderry M’Bai   August 4th, 2017

72 -year old man dies in the hands of the police

 By Mustapha Jallow
A 72-year-old, one Ebrima died while in the custody of the police on Wednesday 26 July 2017.
According to a police source, on that fateful Wednesday, the Police had executed an arrest warrant for Ebrima after a report was filed to them that the said deceased has been engaging on blackmailing people.
The source added that the body was later transported to the mortuary at Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital (EFSTH) in Banjul for postmortem to be taken.
However, a source says that the case is now under Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for a preliminary investigation to ascertain the cause of the death.
Faji Kunda Police Post
During a visit to the station, relatives and friends of the deceased were seen giving their statements to the CID and uniformed police officers. They told this reporter that they are not aware of anything that relates to the man’s death. Attempts to obtain information relating to Ebrima’s death from the health centre where he is said to have been pronounced dead was unsuccessful.
Police spokesperson, Inspector Foday Conta told Foroyaa that the incident started when a case was reported at Faji-Kunda Police Post by one Ahmed Samba Kah, a 21-year-old petty trader.
A dispute over money between Ebrima and Samba ensued and Samba went to the nearest Police station in Faji-kunda and reported the matter to them. He said that the police on duty went for the old man and picked him up.
‘‘As he was waiting for the officers to obtain his statement and while interrogating him, the deceased started shaking and suddenly collapsed, then the police picked him and took him to Faji-kunda hospital. Upon arriving at the hospital, the nurse later realized that he passed away’’ he said.
PRO Conta said that investigation in to the matter is still going and the body is currently at the mortuary as he has no family around and the family has to give consent for a postmortem.
‘‘We’re still waiting for the family members for a postmortem to be conducted to ascertain the cause of death,’’ he said

Mauritanian Man Died In The Hands Of Police In Gambia.

El Hadrami Mohameden Zayid, 57, residing at Ebo Town, was yesterday confirmed death by the Serekunda General Hospital in Kanifing. He was rushed to the hospital by his wife and neighbors after...

March 22, 2017

Mauritanian man, an Afra seller, El Hadrami Mohameden Zayid, 57, residing at Ebo Town, was yesterday confirmed death by the Serekunda General Hospital in Kanifing. He was rushed to the hospital by his wife and neighbors after he was abandoned at the compound gate by a police patrol team led by Corporal Badjie.  Mr. Badjie and his colleagues have been accused of manhandling the man to death.

According to his wife, Zayid was said to be an asthmatic patient.

According to an eye witness Pa Ousman Jatta, son to the landlord, said ’’ the police officers entered their compound asking for the deceased and he escorted them to Zayid’s apartment and after seeing the deceased, the police patrol team leader told Zayid that he was suspected and accused of receiving and buying stolen animals- a sheep and goat.”

People Killed By Authorities In Gambia.

A 34 year-old married man named Lamin Krubally, died in the custody of the Nema Kunku police on Wednesday, 12 July 2017, around 6pm, according to Foroyaa newspaper.

The wife, Mrs. Rohey Jarju, said she found the lifeless body of her husband in the cell of the Nema Kunku Police Station. Mr Krubally was detained following a fight he had with a neighbor.

Gambia News In Brief.

Colonel Sait Njie was the Commanding Officer of First Infantry Battalion, Yundum from 2013 until Friday July 14th, 2017. He handed over in a colorful ceremony to the incoming CO lt. Col. Bubacar Sanyang.
Colonel Sait Njie attended Armitage High School before he was enlisted in the GAF on 1st May 1996.
The incoming CO of 1 Infantry Battalion Lieutenant Babucarr Sanyang was enlisted in the Gambia National Army in 11 August 1984 and did his training under the British Army Training Team. (From the daily observer)