The Alkamba Times

07/15/2025

Excitement is reaching a fever pitch in Central River Region as Kerewan Samba Sira, widely regarded as the “home of football”, prepares to host the official kickoff of the 2025 Nawettan Tournament this Friday, with support from ActionAid International The Gambia.

By Ebrima Mbaye Excitement is reaching a fever pitch in Central River Region as Kerewan Samba Sira, widely regarded as the “home of football”, prepares to host the official kickoff of the 2025 Nawettan Tournament this Friday, with support from ActionAid International The Gambia. A record 24 team...

07/15/2025

The murder trial of four men accused of the brutal killing of Leonard Dominic commenced on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, at the High Court in Banjul, with gripping testimony from Sub-Inspector Modou Badjie. The officer, attached to Tujereng Police Station and deployed to the Serious Crime Unit, recounted the chilling discovery of Dominic’s body in the Brufut-Tanji forest, setting a somber tone for the high-stakes case before Justice Omar Cham.

By: Sainabou Sambou The murder trial of four men accused of the brutal killing of Leonard Dominic commenced on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, at the High Court in Banjul, with gripping testimony from Sub-Inspector Modou Badjie. The officer, attached to Tujereng Police Station and deployed to the Serious Cr...

07/15/2025

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07/15/2025

Yonna Islamic Microfinance Bolsters Data Security with Gambia Standards Bureau Collaboration

Yonna Islamic Microfinance welcomed representatives from the Gambia Standards Bureau for an insightful presentation on the Information Security Management System (ISMS), focusing on ISO 27001, ISO 27002, and ISO 27004 standards.

The visit underscored the critical importance of robust information security measures in today’s digital landscape.

The Gambia Standards Bureau shared valuable insights into international standards, aiming to foster collaboration with Yonna Microfinance to enhance data protection practices.

Yonna Microfinance expressed gratitude for the Bureau’s expertise and emphasized its commitment to implementing best-in-class security measures. “We are excited about the potential for future engagements that will strengthen our operational excellence and ensure the highest standards of data protection for our clients,” a Yonna Micro finance Managing Director, Yankuba Mambury said.

This initiative marks a significant step in Yonna’s ongoing efforts to align with global standards and safeguard customer trust in its services.

Yonna Islamic Micro-Finance

07/14/2025

In a bold move to bridge the intellectual property (IP) awareness gap highlighted in The Alkamba Times’ viral feature, “From Music to Manuscripts: Are Gambian Creators Truly Protected?”, the Ministry of Justice has rolled out an ambitious initiative to educate and empower the nation’s youth. The Intellectual Property School Club Project, launched today at the Office of the Registrar General, marks a significant step toward fostering a generation of informed and innovative Gambians.

By Ebrima Mbaye In a bold move to bridge the intellectual property (IP) awareness gap highlighted in The Alkamba Times’ viral feature, “From Music to Manuscripts: Are Gambian Creators Truly Protected?”, the Ministry of Justice has rolled out an ambitious initiative to educate and empower the n...

07/14/2025

In a significant step toward transparency and accountability, Gambian lawmakers convened a public hearing on Monday, July 14, 2025, to investigate the sale and disposal of assets linked to former President Yahya Jammeh, as identified by the Janneh Commission of Inquiry. The inquiry, held at the assembly auditorium in Banjul—the bustling epicenter of Gambia’s political sphere—marks a critical moment in the nation’s efforts to address the legacy of Jammeh’s 22-year rule.

07/14/2025

The High Court in Banjul, presided over by Justice Omar Cham, resumed the trial of three men accused of a violent armed robbery on Monday, July 14, 2025. The case centers on the alleged theft of over one million dalasis and CFA francs from the United Vegetable Oil Company near Denton Bridge. The accused—Abdoulie Jallow (first accused), Losseni Diabate, also known as Alfusainey Jobarteh (second accused), and Ansumana Jarju (third accused)—face charges of conspiracy to commit a felony, robbery with violence, and disabling in order to commit a felony.

The prosecution, led by Principal State Counsel M.B. Mballow, called police officer Lamin Saidykhan as a key witness, while Defence Counsel E. Sanneh represented the second accused, and Counsel U.A. Ugar appeared for the first and third accused. The courtroom was tense as Saidykhan’s testimony revealed details about the recovery of funds and the alleged use of stolen money to purchase fi****ms, raising questions about the investigation’s thoroughness.

Under cross-examination, Saidykhan testified that over D200,000 was recovered from the second accused and his wife, with more than D30,000 specifically traced to the wife. However, when pressed by Counsel Sanneh to confirm the exact amount, Saidykhan admitted, “I can’t remember the precise figure.” He clarified that the funds were linked to the robbery, which allegedly involved over one million dalasis and CFA francs stolen from the company on December 31, 2024. The three accused were arrested on February 8, 2025.

07/14/2025

In a strongly worded statement, the UDP drew parallels between the current policy and Jammeh’s 2015 strategy, when he raised presidential deposits by 4,900% to D500,000 to financially cripple his rivals. The NPP’s justification for the hikes—promoting “election integrity”—was dismissed by the UDP as a pretext. “The true aim is to exclude grassroots candidates,” the party stated, noting that the new councillor deposit exceeds the average Gambian’s annual income. The UDP argued that the D1 million presidential fee ensures only Barrow’s wealthy allies can afford to run, effectively rigging the electoral system in favor of NPP incumbents.

The opposition party also highlighted that the hikes violate regional democratic standards, specifically Article 2 of the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, which mandates affordable electoral participation. The UDP accused the Barrow administration of flouting its obligations under ECOWAS and undermining The Gambia’s democratic progress since the 2016 ousting of Jammeh. “This is a direct assault on democracy,” the UDP declared, warning that the policy represents an “economic coup” aimed at stifling political competition.

07/14/2025

The United Democratic Party (UDP) has issued a scathing condemnation of the National People’s Party (NPP)-controlled National Assembly’s decision to increase election deposits drastically, labeling the move a deliberate attempt to suppress opposition participation and consolidate President Adama Barrow’s authoritarian rule. The unprecedented hikes, which the UDP compares to tactics employed by former dictator Yahya Jammeh, have sparked widespread concern about the erosion of democratic principles in The Gambia.

The new deposit requirements, approved by the NPP-led legislature, impose significant financial barriers for candidates seeking public office. Presidential candidates now face a deposit of D1 million, a staggering 9,900% increase from the previous D10,000. National Assembly candidates must pay D150,000, up 2,900% from D5,000. Mayoral and chairperson candidates are required to deposit D100,000, while councillor deposits have risen 233% from D3,000 to D10,000. These increases, according to the UDP, are designed to exclude grassroots candidates and entrench the NPP’s dominance.

The United Democratic Party (UDP) has issued a scathing condemnation of the National People’s Party (NPP)-controlled National Assembly’s decision to increase election deposits drastically, labeling the move a deliberate attempt to suppress opposition participation and consolidate President Adama...

07/14/2025

Under cross-examination, Saidykhan testified that over D200,000 was recovered from the second accused and his wife, with more than D30,000 specifically traced to the wife. However, when pressed by Counsel Sanneh to confirm the exact amount, Saidykhan admitted, “I can’t remember the precise figure.” He clarified that the funds were linked to the robbery, which allegedly involved over one million dalasis and CFA francs stolen from the company on December 31, 2024. The three accused were arrested on February 8, 2025.

Saidykhan’s testimony took a dramatic turn when he revealed that investigations pointed to D400,000 of the stolen money being divided among the accused, with each allegedly receiving D100,000. The remaining D100,000, he claimed, was used to purchase two guns from a neighboring country for future criminal operations. When Counsel Sanneh asked whether any receipts were recovered to substantiate the firearm purchases, Saidykhan responded, “There was no receipt recovered because it was illegally purchased.” He further admitted that the guns were smuggled into The Gambia, but he could not identify the seller, stating, “I do not know the name of the seller of these fi****ms.”

By Sainabou Sambou The High Court in Banjul, presided over by Justice Omar Cham, resumed the trial of three men accused of a violent armed robbery on Monday, July 14, 2025. The case centers on the alleged theft of over one million dalasis and CFA francs from the United Vegetable Oil Company near Den...

07/14/2025

Minister Jallow, the first witness to testify, outlined the foundational role of the Ministry of Justice in supporting the Janneh Commission. He detailed the commission’s Terms of Reference (ToR), which guide the Lead Counsel, Secretary General, and other appointees. Jallow emphasized that the ministry’s primary responsibility was to ensure the commission’s operational framework was robust, including meticulous record-keeping and administrative support. “Our role was to facilitate the commission’s needs while ensuring it could function independently,” Jallow told the committee.

A key point of contention during the hearing was the decision to appoint a private attorney, Ms. Amie Bensouda, as Lead Counsel, despite the availability of state counsel. Jallow defended the choice, arguing that engaging private legal expertise is a standard practice for specialized commissions. “Governments often rely on private counsel for such complex investigations to ensure impartiality and expertise,” he said, addressing concerns about the necessity and cost of the appointment.

The inquiry also delved into the operational autonomy of the commission. Jallow confirmed that the commission has its own budget and is responsible for formulating its work plans. However, he acknowledged limitations in its financial independence, noting that the Ministry of Justice serves as the primary intermediary between the commission and the government. “Complete autonomy would require direct parliamentary approval and funding, which is not the current arrangement,” Jallow explained. This revelation sparked questions about the commission’s ability to operate without undue influence, a concern central to the inquiry’s objectives.

By Fatou Dahaba In a significant step toward transparency and accountability, Gambian lawmakers convened a public hearing on Monday, July 14, 2025, to investigate the sale and disposal of assets linked to former President Yahya Jammeh, as identified by the Janneh Commission of Inquiry. The inquiry,....

07/14/2025

https://alkambatimes.com/31434-2/

Finland Musa Jatta replaced Pitkanen in the 24th minute as AC Oulu edged KTP 3-2. Jatta and AC Oulu are 12th on the league table with 10 points. AC Oulu has registered two wins and a draw. Estonia Tallinn Kalev and Momodou Jallow collected three crucial points, this time against Harju. Kalev have no...