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Trial resumes of Gamcotrap officials

Apr 2, 2012, 12:51 PM | Article By: Bakary Samateh

The case involving Dr. Isatou Touray, Executive Director of Gamcotrap, and Amie Bojang-Sissoho, programme coordinator of the same organisation, Wednesday resumed at the Banjul Magistrates’ Court with the continuation of cross-examination of the second accused person.

It was alleged that the two prominent women’s rights activists, in 2009 in Banjul and diverse places in The Gambia, jointly stole 30,000 Euros being money provided by the YALOCAMBA SOLIDARIDAD of Spain.

Continuing her testimony under cross-examination, Mrs. Sissoho told the court that they did not have an AEO project, instead what they had a project on ‘Training on Information Campaign’ for one year, which  included the AEO.

She added that their original proposal had the AEO, but could not remember the budget they allocated for the AEO, adding that the budget for the AEO was contained in the documents tendered before the court.

Asked to look at a copy of the original proposal, and to show the court where they budgeted for  the  AEO, the witness testified that the preparation started since 2007 up to 2009, and during the process issues concerning the AEO were clearly indicated.

Mrs. Sissoho further testified that the amount they received for the whole project for one year included the training of different target groups, to raise their consciousness about the said information.

She mentioned stages and processes involved in the project, until it reached the declaration of the dropping of the knife.

She said the dropping of the knife was followed by an international conference, and countries from the sub- region together with Yolocamba and other partners attended the conference.

Responding to another question, Mrs. Sissoho said each activity had its own expenses, as indicated in the proposal.

 She said supplementary documents regarding the AEO were handed over to the investigating team. 

When it was put to her that there were no documents like that, Mrs. Sissoho insisted that the documents were with the investigators.

At this juncture, the prosecuting officer, Superintendent Joof, applied for the said documents to be produced.

The application was upheld by the trial magistrate, and the witness was ordered to produce the said document by the next adjournment date.

The case was then adjourned till 18 April 2012.