Bakary Dahaba alias Terema, administrator of the Gambia Football Association (GFA), was yesterday further cross-examined in the false information case involving Mambanyick Njie, at the Banjul Magistrates’ Court before acting Principal Magistrate Bubacarr Secka.
The particulars of offence stated that Mambanyick Njie, on 1 March 2012, in Banjul, whilst serving as Permanent Secretary Ministry of Youth and Sports, wrote a petition to the Office of the President, stating that the ex-Gambia Football Association (GFA) executive were engaged in malpractices and never gave a thorough account of the imprests given to them for international matches and, therefore, sought approval to dissolve the said GFA executive, information he knew to be false or did not believe to be true.
Responding to questions by defence counsel Antouman Gaye, Dahaba told the court that he had a diploma and many certificates in coaching, particularly football. He added that he did his professional course at the University of Ghana, Legon.
Dahaba told the court that he received his salary through Bank PHB.
Dahaba also admitted telling the court in his evidence-in-chief that he received 800 Euros as allowance for five nights, and not an imprest.
Asked whether he remembered signing any receipt when he was receiving the said 800 Euros, Dahaba denied issuing any receipt, but instead what he signed was a document.
Further asked whether he knew the document he signed, he said “Yes”.
“I was under serious pressure, because the whole transactions of the trip have been changed, including my flight schedules at the time,” he said.
Dahaba added that the executive secretary of the Gambia for Goal followed him to the airport, to sign the document.
When shown the payment voucher, and asked whether he recognised it, Dahaba confirmed it as the one he signed.
When asked whether he was still maintaining that he received 800 Euros as an allowance and not imprest, Dahaba told the court that to his knowledge what he signed was for allowance for five nights.
The payment voucher signed by Bakary Dahaba was tendered and marked for identification purposes.
Dahaba also informed the court of a staff loan of D150,000 which he was paying through his monthly salary deduction of D2,500.
Asked whether he could remember the amount paid, and the outstanding balance, Dahaba said, “I do not know how much the outstanding is, as I am talking to the court. I did not receive salary for nearly six months.”
He admitted that he did not apply for a loan in writing, but verbally through the former executive of the GFA.
Dahaba also denied that the said 800 Euros was divided into two parts - 300 Euros for allowance and 500 Euros for the imprest.
Dahaba said he did not lodge any complaint against the accused person to the police.
The case was adjourned till 24 December 2012.
