In Dr Gumbo Touray’s trial acting UTG deputy vice chancellor testifies

Dr Omar Jah, acting deputy vice chancellor of the University of The Gambia, yesterday testified at the Banjul Magistrates’ Court in the false information trial involving Dr Gumbo Touray, former director of International Affairs at the University of The Gambia.

In his testimony, Dr Jah told the court that he is working with the University of The Gambia, and he is the acting deputy vice chancellor of the University of The Gambia.

He said he knew the accused person, Dr Gumbo Touray, as he was working with the University of The Gambia.

Dr Jah adduced that he was employed at the UTG in 2001, and was appointed as Lecturer 1, when professor Kah was in the USA and was not working with the University of The Gambia.

He added that his appointment letter was given to him by the then registrar of the UTG.

The said appointment letter was tendered and mark as an exhibit (B), following the prosecution’s application to tender the letter.

According to the witness, as the acting deputy vice chancellor of the University of The Gambia, his function include to advise the vice chancellor, and to take part in the senate, council meetings and other activities.

Dr Jah told the court that the senate is the highest academic body of the UTG, which decides on academic matters of the UTG.

He further stated that he was appointed as a member of the Senate and member of council by the current vice chancellor, when the current vice chancellor came he restructure the university.

“I was appointed as the acting deputy vice chancellor in 2008. The director of finance, one Mr Kujo, a Ghanaian national, was working under me,” Dr Jah said.

He added that the appointment of the director of finance was subject to endorsement by Bai Matarr Drammeh, Janum Manneh, Baboucarr Boye, and Muhammed Jammeh.

He further explained that by virtue of this, he was entitled to a UTG official vehicle, adding that he is still receiving the salary of a senior lecturer, despite he is the acting deputy vice chancellor.

He stated further that the university is working toward the entrusted task.

The case continues on 5th October 2011.

It would be recalled that it was alleged that between March and April 2011, in Banjul, the accused person, Dr. Gumbo Touray, wrote a petition to the Office of the President, stating that the Vice Chancellor of the University of The Gambia, Professor Kah, is bent on employing his relatives at the University of The Gambia, which information he knew to be false.