State Drops Charges Against Yankuba Touray, Fatoumata Jahumpa

The Attorney General and Minister of Justice Abubacarr Tambadou has announced the decision by the state to drop charges against former minister Yankuba Touray and Fatoumata Jahumpa Ceesay, a former speaker of parliament.

Touray and Jahumpa were jointly charged with conspiracy to commit felony and interfering with information or Truth Reconciliation and Reparations Commission witness, following the testimony of former army officer Alagie Kanyi. He told the TRRC in February that Touray and Jahumpa rang him and told him not to mind the TRRC. The commission ordered the police to arrest the two for alleged interference in its work. Touray has been adversely mentioned at the TRRC and he’s expected to give testimony. They both denied any wrongdoing.

At a press conference in Banjul Wednesday, Tambadou said he had filed for the case to be effectively terminated, adding that all charges against Touray and Jahumpa have been dropped.

He however warned that the justice ministry will not compromise with anybody who is bent on interfering with TRRC witnesses or potential witnesses.

“While I am not in a position to inform the public of my reason for taking this decision, I hope to be able to do so later. I want to take this opportunity to renew my call to all witnesses or potential witnesses to cooperate fully with the TRRC as we try to reveal the truth about our dark pass and help us reconcile our nation,” Tambadou said.