Fatoumata Jahumpa-Ceesay has appeared in court charged with witness tampering.

The former speaker of the National Assembly, who appeared at the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court on 8 February, 2019, was charged with interfering with information or witnesses, contrary to Section 36(a) of the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparation Commission Act, Laws of The Gambia 2017.

It was alleged that Fatoumata Jahumpa-Ceesay attempted to obstruct or interfere with the work of the Gambia’s Truth Reconciliation Reparations Commission by telling a TRRC witness Alagie Kanyi not to testify before the commission.

Fatoumata Jahumpa-Ceesay, who was represented by Lawyer Lamin S. Camara, denied any wrongdoing. Ms Jahumpa Ceesay was granted bail by the court and is expected reappear in court on 14 March, 2019, for the prosecution to call their witnesses. 

The presiding magistrate set the bail condition at D1,000,000 with two Gambian sureties who should have landed properties within the Greater Banjul Area. The title deeds should be surrendered to the registrar. The accused is also asked to surrender her passport.

According to section 36 of the TRRC Act, any person who “threatens or interferes with an information or a witness, or wilfully obstructs or otherwise interferes with the 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.”