Lawyer Antouman Gaye said the then executive members were only interested in “enriching” themselves with the monies given by Fifa for the development of football. “During that period the GFA was involved in serious criminal malpractices by extracting electricity from Nawec without for it paying. It is in evidence that the GFA were involved in very serious and financial malpractices and that they operated for three years without a budget. So where did they get that money from? These were the very people given charge of the GFA and sworn to defend its constitution which they flouted with impunity,” Lawyer Gaye said urging the court to free Mr Mambanyick Njie.
According to the lawyer, the then GFA president never appeared in court to give evidence, even after a subpoena was issued. “Omar Ceesay, the now governor of URR said in court that he had the chance to travel with 18 players. They were given allowances but only 12 players travelled and other 6 were not refunded [with the monies] ending up in someone’s pocket,” he charged, adding that the GFA turned “a deaf ears” when the Brikama United FC demanded their D100,000. “The GFA turned deaf years when Lamin FC demanded their D70, 000 and also the Red Scorpions who were entitled to D50,000. They did not get a penny. I now urge you to take judicial notice of the facts and discharge and acquit the accused,” Lawyer Gaye added before the magistrate adjourned the case to October 1 for judgement
Mambanyick Njie is on trial at the Banjul court accused of giving false information to the Office of the President that the former GFA executive members were engaged in financial malpractices and never gave a thorough account of the imprests given to them for international marches and therefore sought approval to dissolve the committee, information he knew to be false. He denied any wrong doing. Five witnesses including the treasurer of the GFA testified as state witnesses.
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