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Gambia: Lady Councillor Sent to Jail for Perjury

The National Women Councillor in Basse, Aja Kumba Korah, who is also PW1 in the ongoing trial of the UDP candidate Saiba Sanyang and nine others, was sentenced to 14 days at the Janjangbureh Prison for perjury by the Basse Magistrate Court.

The imprisonment of Aja Kumba was prompted after she confessed that all her testimony in court was false and misleading. This left the defence with no other option but to apply under section 95(1) of the CPC to charge her for misdemeanour and perjury. This offence is punishable under section 95(3) of the laws of The Gambia. In his ruling the presiding magistrate granted the application of the counsel but also exercised mercy for not sending the victim to the maximum jail term of seven years but instead to a minimum of 14 days. However, magistrate Baldeh, earlier on, cautioned PW1 to be truthful in her evidence, since she took an oath but the witness continued to mislead the court. The defence counsel, Lamin Jobarteh, maintained that his application be implemented as he withdrew from asking further questions after the witness confessed that all her testimonies are false. He told the court that he based his application on three reasons; (1) that the court is the temple of justice which is the last resort for people to seek redress; (2) if the court fails then everybody is in trouble; (3) the court should protect the innocent people except the offenders of law.

Before the court proceedings which took place at the commissioner's Bantaba, due to the commencement of the high court, the court visited the scene of the alleged offence in Basse Manneh Kunda to test the credibility of the complainant's testimony while under cross examination by Lawyer Jobarteh.

Readers could recall that the UDP candidate in the 2007 National Assembly election in the Basse constituency and nine others are currently standing trial for unlawful Assembly and common assault presided over by Magistrate Amadou Tony Baldeh. 1781 Kinteh is the Police Prosecutor. The case was adjourned till 9 and 10 July for continuation.

Aja Kumba Korah is a Staunch APRC Supporter.

Although she was sentenced to imprisonment on Monday 11 June by the Magistrate' Court, up till Tuesday evening, she was still seen at the Basse Police Station rather than Janjangbureh Prison.