Woman Brutally Beats 16-Year-Old Causing Him Serious Bodily Harm

 

Photo: Ba-Ahmidu Njie (Victim)

 

By Ousman A. Marong

 

Fatou Joof, a woman believed to be between the age of 49th - 50th from Mbollet Bah, a village in the Lower Niumi District, NBR, was on Friday 20th January 2023 arrested by the Barra, police for allegedly hitting a 16-Year-Old boy by the name Ba-Ahmidu Njie with a stick on the face leaving with a third-degree injury in the eye.

 

Abie Nyan, the mother of the victim alleged that the woman (Fatou Joof), hit her son with a stick in the eye and hand-leaving her male child with third-degree injuries in the eye and on the hand.

 

"Fatou Joof is in the habit of stopping my kids to fetch water from the nearby public tap next to her compound on the highway. She has since stopped them (my kids), from fetching water from the public tap belonging to all of us (the villagers). Her only reason was that the tap is next to her compound. We (the villagers), normally pay a monthly contribution fee thus enabling us to pay for the NAWEC water bill. Before the incident occurred I reported the matter to Alkalo (village head), on several occasions. My last report to the Alkalo was when she (Fatou Joof), threatened to kill my elder daughter, Isatou Njie, in my absence. She told my daughter your life is in my hands and if you are not careful of me I will soon kill you. The Alkalo himself told me that was too much and advised me to report the matter to the police. Upon reporting the matter, the Barra, police immediately wanted to arrest her but again I intervened simply because it was the same day she (Fatou Joof), was to be wed. If I allow the police to arrest her people will assume that it was because I was not wed so I was playing grief and endless co-wife hatred on her. She's in the habit of doing such and I am with believe that she will again repeat it. It was on Friday morning, when I when to Medina Kanuma (my home village), to attend our usual "Komping" contribution and assigned my kids to fetch water before my return. As they were fetching water Fatou Joof came out of her compound to hit my son with a heavy stick on his face," explained the mother of a 16-Year-Old boy.

 

The Barra, Police arrested the woman on the complaint of Abie Nyan, the victim's mother and a native of Medina Kanuma village who is married to Baboucarr Njie in Mbollet Bah. Abie is currently divorced by Baboucarr and Fatou Joof is the current wife staying with the husband (Baboucarr Njie). Fatou works at the Ministry of Fisheries and Water Resources.

 

Confirming the story, the Deputy police spokesperson, ASP, Muhammed Y. Darboe, said: "Indeed the story happens. The lady assaulted the boy causing bodily harm and she is currently detained helping the police in their investigation."

 

 

Sami Boy Convicted For Setting Compatriot Alight

By Ousman A Marong 

The Essau magistrate court has convicted and sentenced one Lamin Bob to a fine of five hundred thousand dalasis (500,000), in default to serve 2-years in prison after he was found guilty of pouring petrol on one Sulayman Ceesay and setting him on fire in Sami village (NBR).

Presiding Magistrate, Anna O. Mendy, however, further ordered the convict to pay a of fine of five hundred thousand dalasis as compensation to the victim in default to serve two years jail term. Both jail terms are to run consecutively.

The convict was further reminded of his right to appeal. Mr. Bob was slammed with a single-count charge of assault causing grievous bodily harm. 

According to the indictment filed by the police prosecutors have revealed that the incident happened on October 19th at Sami village, in Lower Nuimi District (NBR).

It could be recalled that on October 25th Lamin Bob, unlawfully poured petrol on Sulayman Ceesay and lit a fire on his body causing him grievous bodily harm. When the charge was read to him, by the court clerk and interpreted to him in Wollof by the court interpreter, Mr. Bob pleaded guilty to the charge.

“The Facts couldn’t be narrated by the prosecution on the same day due to the victim’s critical conditions and admission at the Essau District Hospital. The matter was adjourned to the 7th of November 2022 for fact narration by the prosecution. The matter was subsequently adjourned due to the victim's condition and admission at the same hospital,” said the Presiding Magistrate, Anna O. Mendy.

She said the victim was finally discharged and the facts were narrated by the police prosecuting Officer on 14th November 2022.

“After fact narration, the accused person maintained his guilty plea and was accordingly convicted as charged.”

In passing her sentenced, the presiding Magistrate Mendy considered certain factors such as the antecedence of the convict and indeed remorsefully. 

The trial Magistrate further stated that the convict is young, and he is a first-time offender and the court believes he will avoid falling foul of the law, and be an active law-abiding citizen if given a second opportunity. 

The Magistrate has cited the provision of section 29th subsection 2&3 and section 31, subsection 4th of the criminal code, section 259 and 266 of the CPC, which served as mitigating factors when person sentences on convict especially when finds or compensation was awarded.

“The court further averted its mind to the condition or what would have become of the victim if there was no stagnant water on the road for him to fall on and turn off the fire on him off his clothes. The outcome would have been deadly if there was no said stagnant water on the road. The court has also taken note of the increasing crime rates most especially among youths within our communities, therefore, there is a need to curb or reduce such unlawful and immoral behavior in our communities,” urged Magistrate Mendy.

She continues: "There is no doubt that the convict has committed an offense against the criminal code, therefore, the court hereby invokes its discretion provided under section 29th subsection 2&3 of the criminal code cited above in the person of Lamin Bob, to a fine of Five thousand dalasis (D5000) in default to serve 2-years imprisonment and the compensation of five hundred thousand dalasis in default to serve 2-years imprisonment.

Victim Center Chair Say President Barrow let Gambians down

Photo: Sheriff M. Kijera

By Ousman A. Marong

The Chairman of the Gambia Center for Victims of Human Rights Violation, Sheriff Kijera, has on Monday reacted to the granting of a permit to the supporters of the Alliance for Patriotic Reconciliation Construction Party (APRC) to protest in demand for former President Jammeh’s possible return to the country as a free man.

“President Barrow had let all of us down by issuing a permit to the APRC,” he said.

It could be recalled that on Wednesday 16 January 2020, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Mahmud Jobe decided to grant a permit to officials of the APRC Party to protest.

The granting of the permit came at a time when the IGP’s office refused to approve #Operation “3-years jotna” a movement to protest demanding for President Barrow to step down and honor his campaign promised.

“It is disappointing to see President Barrow letting us down. He (President Barrow) together with his government let all of us (Gambians) down. The decision from the IGP to issue the permit to supports of the APRC to protest was a political move. Such a decision does not come from the IGP himself. I am sure the move is politically motivated," he remarked.

He made the disclosure at a press conference held at the Center for human rights violations in Kotu.

It could also be recall that former president Jammeh’s name has been adversely mentioned at the Truth Commission as someone responsible for gross-human right violation.

He alleged that President Barrow wants to prolong and self-perpetuate himself into power.

“He (President Barrow) wants to contest the next Presidential election so he will do all he could in order to get the support of the APRC. He is aiming to go in for an alliance with the APRC party in order to achieve his long dream of ruling,” he asserted.

He revealed that all the victims of former President Jammeh are disappointed with the move to grant APRC the permit to protest.

He stated that they (the victims) have written a permit to the IGP and that they will embark on a massive protest come Saturday 25 January 2020.

“We are calling on all and sundry to turn up in their thousands and join us to demonstrate for a possible bring Jammeh to justice. Jammeh must face justice; Jammeh must answer to all the allegations against him, “he quired.

He said Gambians are closely monitoring the TRRC where various testifiers alleged to have ordered from him to mime Gambians.

“He (Jammeh) cannot go scot-free. He and all those behind  all heinous crimes against any Gambian must be held responsible,” Mr. Kijera vowed.

 He said victims of former president Jammeh are in dire need for justice. He added that many victims are still nursing the wounds inflicted on them by former President Yahya Jammeh.

18-Year Old Mandinaring Boy Stabbed

PHOTO Adama Touray. (PHOTO Credit Landing Colley an Eyewitness)

By Ousman A. Marong

Adama Touray, an 18--year boy a resident of Mandinaring Village in Kombo North District of the West Coast Region (WCR) was on Friday, 19th April 2019 stabbed on the neck in his village.
The incident, according to Landing Colley, an eyewitness happened at the Mandinaring Police Post in the presence of the police while both the victim and the suspect were brought to the station to settle their dispute. 
According to the eyewitness Mr. Colley, the victim was first attacked by the suspect (a man whose name is yet unknown) whilst they were strolling around the village in Mandinaring.
He said the suspect, who used to sell them local “Chakri” food in the village had claimed that the victim used to make a mockery of him.
“At first, the suspect pulled out his cutlass and started chasing Adama. I begged him to forgive him (Adama) but he didn’t listen. When Adama fell down, he started beating him with his cutlass and all of a sudden, an elderly man in the village called Ali Jagana came to help separate them and they were both taken to the police station where their statements were taken. While the police were taking their statements, the suspect stood up and stabbed the victim on his neck in the presence of the police,” the eyewitness alleged.
The police at Mandinaring Station refused to comment on the matter and referred our reporter to their spokesperson.
At the time of going to press, all efforts made to reach out to the police PRO proved futile, as he did not pick up his call.
The victim Adama Touray is currently admitted at the Faji Kunda Health Centre.