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Gamcotrap officials case resumes

Dec 8, 2011, 12:21 PM | Article By: Bakary Samateh

The case involving Dr Isatou Touray, executive director of Gamcotrap, and Amie Bojang-Sissoho, program coordinator of the same organization, resumed yesterday at the Banjul Magistrate’s Court.

The two women’s rights activists are being tried for allegedly stealing 30,000 Euros being money provided to Gamcotrap by the YALOCAMBA SOLIDARIDAD based in the kingdom of Spain.

Continuing her defence testimony under cross-examination, Dr Touray told the court that two panels investigated them regarding the alleged 30,000 Euro sent to Gamcotrap by Yolocamba Solidaridad.

She added that when they were first called by the panel, they made it categorical clear that there was nothing like 30,000 Euro From Yolocamba to Gamcotrap.

She added that the second panel told them that they were invited by the Office of the President, but instead they later took them to Holgam in Kanifing.

She said that the allegation of stealing 30,000 Euro was false, and that the total amount sent to Gamcotrap was 129,000 Euro, adding that the activities agreed were completed, and they reported to Yolocamba as agreed upon.

Dr Touray added that at Holgam they were asked to give a statement regarding the 30,000 Euro, which they did.

She confirmed the said statement in court, as her own handwriting, and the statement was tendered and marked as an exhibit.

She told the court that a financial statement, marked exhibit D4 by the court, was part of the costs of the project including electricity and a wireless connection for the internet.

She also said that this report was filed to Yolocamba upon the completion of the project, as stated in the agreement between them.

Asked whether Yolocamba management have seen this report, Dr. Touray told the court that Gamcotrap prepared this document, which was a financial report on the 129,000 Euro as agreed by the two organizations.

She denied that this financial report was a mere fabrication.

Dr Touray further denied that there was an agreement between the two organizations regarding a micro finance project.

When it was put to her that the D5, 000 given to the women circumcisers was part of the micro credit scheme, Dr Touray denied this.

She also denied that Yolocamba management had sent somebody to train staff of Gamcotrap for the micro-finance scheme.

At that juncture, the prosecution applied for an adjournment to go through the receipts.

The case was then adjourned till 22 December 2011.