By Kemo Kanyi
The first prosecution witness in the Gambia College sex scandal, Nabou Gaye, a student at the Gambia College, and the victim of the scandal explained her ordeals in the hands of Mr. Alasana Janneh, an administrative assistant at the Gambia College, before the principal magistrate Anna O. Mendy of the Brikama Magistrates’ court on Tuesday.
Prosecuting officer, Inspector Kemo Y. Manneh told her to introduce herself to the court. She introduced herself as Nabou Gaye, a resident in Bundung, and a student at the Gambia College.
The prosecution asked Nabou Gaye whether she knew or recognized the accused person in the duck. She replied that she recognized the accused person (Mr.Janneh) at the Gambia college campus in Brikama, and he’s a staff member of the institution.
Inspector Manneh further asked whether anything transpired between her (victim) and the accused person (Alasana Janneh) on the 19th day of September, 2023, which warranted her testimony before the court. She replied that something had transpired between the two.
Prosecution told her to explain what happened. Nabou Gaye said the accused person called her to visit the college with regards to solving issues of her grades entry. She explained that she had arrived at the college campus between 5 p.m. and 6pm.
“When I arrived, I called and informed him that I had arrived. He said I should wait until those at the college leave for home. I stayed until after ‘Magrib’ prayer and texted him that it’s getting late and I should be travelling far (to Bundung). He still insisted that I should wait for him. He later called me to go to his office as Mr. Omar Badjie who shares the same office with him (the accused) had already left for home.” She narrated.
She said Mr. Janneh showed her all her grades that are entered and those not entered. “I told him that I have done exams for the courses that grades are not enteredperhaps the problem is with the lecturers concerned.”
At this juncture, Inspector Manneh asked how many of them were in the office by that time and the distance from the office to the main college gate. Nabou Gaye responded that only her and Mr. Janneh were then in the office, and the distance is not very far from the college gate.
The prosecution told the victim to explain what happened in the office. She narrated that Mr. Janneh told her that he was in love with her. She said she told the accused that she was not interested in that and that it wasn’t her mission to the college.
“He told me to hug and kiss him, but I refused. I then move away from him towards the office door to create distance from him. He (accused person) followed me towards the door and continued telling me to accept his request. I told him I don’t have any love for you and will not hug and kiss you. I stood by the table near the office door, and he advanced towards me and started forcing me to hug and kiss him. Forcefully, he pressed on my waist, I told him to stop because he was hurting me. He responded that he was enjoying it.” Nabou Gaye recalled.
She broke into tears with emotions as she remembered Mr. Janneh pressed his hand on her private part.
At this point of narration, Inspector Kemo Y. Manneh, for the prosecution, applied to the court to have the matter adjourned because his witness couldn’t continue with her testimony as she is currently suck and too emotional to narrate what happened as she is crying.
Principal magistrate Anna .O. Mendy granted the application made by the prosecution and adjourned the matter to the 24th day of January 2024 for continuation of hearing of evidence in chief of PW1.
