Lamdor Media

23/05/2026

21/05/2026

NB: Copied

Declaration of Public Holidays

The Office of the President hereby informs the public that His Excellency Adama Barrow, President of the Republic of The Gambia, is pleased to declare Monday, 25th May 2026, a public holiday marking the African Liberation Day.

Similarly, President Barrow has declared Wednesday, 27th and Thursday, 28th May 2026, as public holidays in observance of the Muslim feast of Eid al-Adha, locally known as Tobaski.
On behalf of the Government and the First Family, His Excellency President Barrow extends his warmest Africa Day and Eid greetings to Gambians at home and abroad.

21/05/2026

NB: Copied

PRESS RELEASE

Dated:21st May , 2026.

The Gambia Prison Services wishes to address public concerns and provide clarification regarding the escape of Convict Prisoner Baboucarr Mankabou.
The Service wishes to clarify that the inmate escaped from Tanka Tanka Psychiatric treatment center where he was receiving medical attention.

The Gambia Prison Services acknowledges the concerns expressed by members of the public regarding this unfortunate incident and assures the public that the matter is receiving urgent attention.

Preliminary findings have raised concerns regarding possible negligence and procedural lapses in supervision arrangements at the time of the incident.

The Gambia Prison Services remains committed to transparency, accountability, and maintaining public confidence in the correctional system.
Security agencies are actively working to locate and apprehend the escaped inmate, and the public is encouraged to provide any information that may assist in ongoing efforts.

The Gambia Prison Services urges members of the public to remain calm and avoid speculation while investigations continue.

Issued by:
Public Relations Officer
The Gambia Prison Services

21/05/2026

NB: Copied

REBUTTAL TO ERRONEOUS REPORTING BY ALKAMBA TIMES ON NAQAA SOFTWARE PROJECT

The attention of the National Accreditation and Quality Assurance Authority (NAQAA) has been drawn to a publication by Alkamba Times in its 19 May 2026 edition regarding deliberations of the National Assembly’s Finance and Public Accounts Committee on NAQAA’s software project, which commenced in 2020. While NAQAA respects the role of the media in promoting transparency and public accountability, it is important to correct a fundamental and misleading error contained in the report.

Contrary to the publication’s assertion that payments totaling “$195,000” were made for the software development project, the amounts discussed before the Committee were in Gambian Dalasi and not United States Dollars. This distinction is critical, as the erroneous conversion grossly exaggerates the actual expenditure and creates a false public impression of financial recklessness.
For the avoidance of doubt, the total amount paid over the period under review was approximately D610,000, disbursed in phases as follows:

 First payment – GMD195,000 paid upon signing of the contract;

 Second payment – GMD121,900 paid upon completion of the development of the application and its online testing;

 Third payment – GMD172,200 paid upon completion of the project and training of users; and

 Annual hosting fee – GMD121,000 paid for hosting and maintenance services.

These payments were made within the framework of the contractual arrangements for the development, customization, hosting, and maintenance of the platform.

The report also failed to adequately contextualize the operational status and utility of the system. While the project experienced implementation challenges and delays, largely due to technical
modifications identified during user acceptance testing and institutional transition gaps, the platform is currently functional and being utilized by all departments within NAQAA.

Furthermore, tertiary and higher education institutions are now able to submit accreditation related information online through the system, significantly improving service delivery and reducing the need for physical interactions with the Authority.

It is therefore inaccurate and misleading to portray the software as merely a “non-functional system” for which public funds were continuously expended without value. The system has undergone continuous improvement to ensure that it aligns with NAQAA’s operational and regulatory requirements.

NAQAA also wishes to clarify that the project was duly approved by its Governing Council and remained subject to oversight throughout its implementation. The Authority further accepted the
recommendations of the auditors and the Finance and Public Accounts Committee regarding the strengthening of future software contracts through clearer milestones, timelines, and performance safeguards.

We urge Alkamba Times to exercise greater diligence in the verification of financial figures and currencies before publication, particularly on matters capable of affecting institutional credibility
and public confidence. Accurate reporting is essential to informed public discourse and responsible journalism.

NAQAA remains committed to transparency, accountability, and the continuous strengthening of quality assurance systems in higher education and skills training in The Gambia.

By Management.

21/05/2026

𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗧𝗘 𝗨𝗥𝗚𝗘𝗦 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗩𝗜𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗢𝗙 𝗬𝗨𝗚𝗢 𝗦𝗢𝗪𝗘 𝗢𝗡 𝗙𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗖𝗥𝗜𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗚𝗘𝗦

The State, through Counsel A. Gibba, has urged the court presided over by Justice Jaiteh to convict Yugo Sowe on five criminal charges, including attempted murder, grievous harm, wounding, previous harm, and domestic violence, allegedly committed against his wife.

In its final address, the prosecution argued that the evidence presented during the trial proves the accused’s guilt beyond reasonable doubt, relying on eyewitness accounts, medical reports, and physical exhibits tendered in court.

State Counsel A. Gibba told the court that the evidence established a consistent and corroborated account of sustained domestic abuse that culminated in a violent attack on 16 November 2023.

The court heard that the accused and the victim were married for over 20 years and share seven children, with the relationship allegedly marked by repeated incidents of violence and intimidation.

According to the prosecution, the incident occurred when the accused allegedly attacked the victim with a machete inside her bedroom at night, with blows directed at vital parts of her body.

The State further submitted that the victim positively identified the accused as her attacker, stating that she called out his name during the assault, strengthening recognition evidence.

A responding officer, PW2 Omar Drammeh, testified that the accused was identified at the scene by members of the public and later confirmed by the victim. He also stated that blood was found throughout the room, and several bloodstained items, including a mattress and bedsheet, were recovered and tendered in evidence.

The prosecution also relied on a bloodstained machete allegedly recovered from the accused’s second residence, along with clothing said to match descriptions provided by the victim. The accused’s second wife reportedly identified the items as belonging to him.

PW4, the son of both the victim and the accused, also testified that he witnessed the attack and saw his father assaulting his mother with a machete.

Medical evidence from PW5, Dr. Pa Samba Secka, confirmed that the victim sustained severe machete injuries and has since been left permanently disabled and confined to a wheelchair.

On the charge of attempted murder, the State argued that the nature of the weapon and the manner of the attack demonstrated clear intent to kill. It further maintained that grievous harm, wounding, and previous harm were supported by consistent medical and eyewitness evidence.

The prosecution also submitted that the evidence established a pattern of domestic violence within the marriage over time.

Concluding its address, the State described the evidence as coherent, corroborated, and overwhelming, and urged the court to convict the accused on all five counts.

The case has been adjourned to 22 June 2026 for judgment.

21/05/2026

Update:

𝗣𝗢𝗟𝗜𝗖𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥 𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗟𝗘𝗡 𝗩𝗢𝗟𝗞𝗦𝗪𝗔𝗚𝗘𝗡 𝗧𝗢𝗨𝗔𝗥𝗘𝗚, 𝗦𝗨𝗦𝗣𝗘𝗖𝗧 𝗢𝗡 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗥𝗨𝗡

The Gambia Police Force has recovered the grey Volkswagen Touareg bearing registration number BJL 3982 S that was reported stolen from the Airport Mosque on Sunday, May 17, 2026.

According to police, investigations led officers to Ebo Town, where the vehicle was recovered at the residence of a 16-year-old employee of the complainant, Mr. Seedy Ceesay.

Preliminary findings revealed that the suspect was reportedly at the airport with the family at the time of the incident. Police further disclosed that after the family entered the airport premises, the suspect allegedly used a spare key in his possession to drive the vehicle from the area to his residence without the owner’s knowledge or consent.

Police confirmed that the suspect is currently at large, while the recovered vehicle has been returned to its owner.

21/05/2026

The National Accreditation and Quality Assurance Authority (NAQAA) has announced the availability of its academic certificate authentication services aimed at providing fast, secure, and reliable verification of academic credentials.

Applicants seeking authentication services are required to submit original certificates and transcripts together with photocopies of the documents.

NAQAA stated that the authentication fee is pegged at D500 per certificate, with payments to be made through the authority’s Trust Bank account number 00111108108002.

NAQAA further encouraged members of the public to visit its office at the Kanifing Institutional Layout or contact 4370 518 for additional information regarding the process.

21/05/2026

𝗣𝗢𝗟𝗜𝗖𝗘 𝗔𝗥𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗦𝗨𝗦𝗣𝗘𝗖𝗧 𝗪𝗜𝗧𝗛 𝟭𝟰 𝗥𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗦 𝗢𝗙 𝗔𝗠𝗠𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗜𝗡 𝗔𝗠𝗗𝗔𝗟𝗔𝗜

Police in Barra have arrested a 24-year-old Senegalese national allegedly found in possession of ammunition during a routine night patrol operation in Amdalai, North Bank Region.

According to the Gambia Police Force, the suspect, identified as Amadou Bamba Ceesay, was apprehended at a brothel in the area with fourteen rounds of ammunition in his possession.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect claimed to be a member of the Senegalese Army attached to the Nemanding Military Base, located about 10 kilometres from Amdalai.

Police further disclosed that the suspect allegedly told investigators the ammunition came into his possession following a change of guard at the military base.

The suspect remains in police custody as investigations continue.

19/05/2026

𝗚𝗜𝗗, 𝗚𝗔𝗙 𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗖𝗘𝗣𝗧 𝟲𝟮 𝗪𝗢𝗨𝗟𝗗-𝗕𝗘 𝗠𝗜𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗦 𝗔𝗧 𝗡𝗜𝗨𝗠𝗜 𝗦𝗜𝗞𝗔

The Gambia Immigration Department (GID), in collaboration with personnel from the Njongon Military Base of the Gambia Armed Forces (GAF), has intercepted 62 would-be migrants during an operation conducted at Niumi Sika in the North Bank Region.

According to immigration authorities, the operation was launched after reports emerged from migrants who allegedly escaped from a migrant camp in the area.

The intercepted group comprised 49 Guineans, 4 Senegalese, 4 Sierra Leoneans, 2 Gambians, 2 Ivorians, and 1 Malian.

Officials disclosed that the migrants are currently being held at the Barra Migration Management Office for profiling before being transferred to the Tanji Migration Management Centre for further processing and investigations.

18/05/2026

𝗣𝗢𝗟𝗜𝗖𝗘 𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: 𝗜𝗡𝗩𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗚𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗢 𝗦𝗨𝗦𝗣𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗘𝗗 𝗖𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗙𝗘𝗜𝗧 𝗨𝗦 𝗖𝗨𝗥𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗬 𝗖𝗔𝗦𝗘 𝗔𝗧 𝗬𝗘𝗥𝗢𝗕𝗔𝗪𝗢𝗟 𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗖𝗞𝗣𝗢𝗜𝗡𝗧

Police have provided an update on the ongoing investigation into the suspected counterfeit United States Dollar notes intercepted at the Yerobawol Checkpoint in Basse.

According to investigators from the Basse Criminal Investigation Department (CID), the suspect, identified as 30-year-old Senegalese national Sadia Ndome, claimed he was instructed by a cousin based in Italy to transport items including a bale of second-hand clothing and a television set from an individual in Basse to Senegal.

Police further disclosed that a search of the luggage led to the discovery of suspected forged US currency estimated at USD 46,700, which was concealed inside the bale of clothing.

The suspect reportedly told investigators he had no prior knowledge of the suspected counterfeit notes.

He remains in police custody as efforts continue to trace and identify other individuals linked to the case.