Update on Court Hearing of 28th March 2011

Lack of Fula Interpreter in court delays GAMCOTRAP Court Hearing

Since the testimony of the Director of Yolocamba Solidaridad on the allegation of

theft case against two GAMCOTRAP officials Dr. Isatou Touray and Amie Bojang-
Sissoho no witness has testified. Appearing at the Banjul Magistrate court on
Monday, 28th March 2011, before Principal Magistrate Alagde, the Prosecution
Officer, Superintendent Sainey Joof announced the presences of one witness instead
of four as announced at the previous seating. The Prosecution witness, Mariama
Sumura one of the celebrated Ex-Circumcisers trained by GAMCOTRAP was called to
the box. The court was at standstill when it was realized that the witness could only
speak Fula. According to Prosecution Officer, Superintendent Joof, he met the
witness that morning and realized she could only speak Fula. Magistrate Alagde
asked for volunteers from the court room but none was forthcoming.

In responding to what can be done, Defense Counsel Amie Bensouda who as

supported by Lawyers Lamin Mboge and Ebrima Jah told the Court that the Defense
is at the mercy of the court and the Prosecution. She added “I think the
Prosecution should have known and arranged for a translator. My lord the
Prosecution should close its case because according to the statement of
the witness we received, it is not different from what the other women
said. We should stop wasting each other’s time.” She further reminded the
Magistrate that six other women have been brought in as witnesses and the
information is not different. The prosecution was asked to call in one of the other
three witnesses to save time while arrangements are made to get a Fula translator.
The prosecution said Mariama Samura was the only one available and came all the
way from Basse and appealed for efforts to be made to get her to testify.

Magistrate Alagde adjourned the hearing until later in the afternoon at 2:00PM.

The confused looking witness called on Amie Bojang-Sissoho to find out what
happened because people were dispersing and nobody gave her any explanation.
She was informed about the adjournment.

Upon returning for the hearing in the afternoon, one of the defense counsel team
members, Lamin Mboge of Maribantang Chambers informed the accused that the
Magistrate has called the Court clerk to inform the court that the case has been
adjourned because there was no Fula translator. The next hearing has been
scheduled for Wednesday, 20th April 2011, at 10:00 AM.

It could be noticed that the witness had a breastfeeding baby with her. Amongst
the crowd in the packed court room were Board Members of the Inter Africa
Committee on Traditional Practices of which Dr. Isatou Touray is the Secretary
General.