By Omar Bah
Yankuba Touray, a former AFPRC junta member was yesterday charged before principal Magistrate Isatou Janneh Njie of the Kanifing Magistrates Court with tampering with a TRRC witness.
Touray denied any wrongdoing and he was granted bail. His bail conditions include D1 million with 2 Gambian sureties and a title deed within Greater Banjul Area. He was also prevented from leaving the country and restrained from any interference with proceedings of the TRRC.
Touray’s lawyer Abdoulie Sissoho argued that Touray has not traveled outside of The Gambia for the past five years and “he will not when granted bail.”
Touray was arrested on Saturday and detained at the Kairaba Police Station following the testimony of the Commission witness Alagie Kanyi, who claimed Touray called him to discourage him from testifying.
The police prosecutor Almameh Manga said Touray’s actions were meant to obstruct or interfere with the work of the Commission.
Kanyi, who confessed to killings of several soldiers and country’s former finance minister Ousman Koro Ceesay, claimed both Touray and Fatoumata Jahumpa Ceesay have phoned him about the Truth Reconciliation and Reparation Commission.
If convicted, Touray could serve up to three years in jail or pay D1 million or both.
According to section 36 of the TRRC Act, any person who “threatens or interferes with an informant or a witness, or willfully obstructs or otherwise interferes with work of the Commission in the discharge of its functions, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding one million dalasis or to imprisonment not exceeding three years or both a fine and imprisonment”.
The court resumes March 11.
