The ruling was delivered Tuesday, 15 September, in a case between objector Tijan Bojang and Musa Siditeh. Counsel Ya Kumba Jaiteh represented the objector.
Siditeh admitted before the court that he was born in Mali, that both his parents are Malians, and that he never undertook the naturalisation process required to become a Gambian citizen.
“It is evidence that the objectee, Musa Sidibeh, is not Gambian and he did not make any process to naturalise,” Magistrate Jallow said.
The court heard Siditeh spent most of his life in Sukuta, where he was raised by a man known as Pa Ousman Jabbi. He told the court he was brought to The Gambia at a young age by relatives including Momodou Trawally and his uncle Sirra Trawally.
Under cross-examination, he confirmed his father Foday Trawally was born in Mali and both parents were Malian.
The court also heard how he obtained national documents. Siditeh said after an encounter with immigration officers, his uncle took him to an alkalo who issued him a document which he used to obtain an ID.
He admitted he did not naturalise, saying due to limited education he was unaware of the procedure.
Documents relating to his registration — his claimant form and attestation form — were tendered by Counsel Jaiteh and admitted as Exhibits A and B.
He also admitted giving false information to the Alkalo by claiming he was born in Sukuta and apologised to the court.
“Yes, it is true that I am not Gambian and I am not entitled, neither do I have the right to vote,” Siditeh told the court, adding that his wife is Gambian.
Relying on Section 28(2)(b) of the Elections Act, Magistrate Jallow ordered his name deleted from the register and directed him to surrender his voter’s card to the IEC through the court registrar.
