UTG law faculty dean testifies in Dr Gumbo Touray’ case

Dr. Abubacarr Senghore, dean of the faculty of law at the University of The Gambia, yesterday testified in the case involving Dr. Gumbo Ali Touray, Director of International Affairs at the University of The Gambia, at the Banjul Magistrates’ Court.

Dr. Touray is standing trial for the offence of giving false information to a public servant.

Dr. Abubacarr Senghore told the court that he was employed at the University of The Gambia in 2003. He said the employment procedures at the UGT are that the application letter normally goes to the office of the registrar, who would then forward it to the Human Resources Directorate (HRD).

He said after their recommendation, they would also forward it back to the registrar and the registrar would again send it to the Appointments and Promotions Committees (APC).

He added that normally their procedures of appointment were almost the same, but there is slight difference with the other units, adding that they do have a unit called Human Resources Directorate, which is responsible for matters of appointment.

Dr. Senghore added that after the interview, the Vice Chancellor would effect the appointment and it would be approved by the members, noting that when he was appointed in 2003 there was no law faculty at the UTG, but instead was law department at the time.

He was asked whether there was a structural change at the university, but this was objected to by defence counsel, Pap Cheyassin Secka.

Counsel said most of the evidence the witness was adducing before the court has no link with the charge before the court.

Counsel then reminded the court that the charge before the court was giving false information.

Dr Senghor continued, and said he knew one Kojo, director of finance at the UTG, but did not know how he was employed at the University of The Gambia.

He also said he knew Dr. Omar Jah, currently deputy Vice Chancellor at the university.

At that juncture, the case was adjourned till 14 March 2012

It be would recalled that Gumbo Ali Touray was alleged to have, between March and April 2011, in Banjul, written 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, which information he knew to be false at the time.