Lawyer Badou S.M. Conteh, the defence counsel in the criminal trial involving the state against Gumbo .A. Touray, the former director of International Affairs at the University of the Gambia (UTG), Tuesday informed Principal Magistrate Taiwo Ade Alagbe of the Banjul Magistrates’ Court, that the defence was closing it’s case after the testimony of Dr Lamin Sidibeh.

Before the lawyer made this announcement to the court, when the case came up, the prosecution cross-examined Dr Lamin Sidibeh, who was the second defence witness (DW2). During cross examination by police prosecutor Spt. Joof, the witness told the court that since the inception of the University of the Gambia, there have been three vice chancellors including the current VC Professor Kah.

Dr Sidibeh further informed the court that he received a letter dated 31st July 2012 that his contract was not renewed when he applied for renewal, and that it was disheartening that the said termination letter was not from the UTG governing council. He stated that he applied for the renewal of his contract because of his commitment to the students of the UTG even when the salary is not lucrative and due to his love for the nation.

He explained that it is the chairman of the governing council who should call for council meeting but that it should also be proposed by the Vice Chancellor, as they work together. He also disclosed that he was verbally appointed as the dean of Students’ Affairs, adding that the accused person was appointed as the director of International Affairs legally, well before Professor Kah came to the UTG.

According to him, he did not know how many people were recruited at the UTG by the present VC because he is not the human resource manager, and he is alarmed by the claim of the prosecutor that Professor Kah recruited 150 people in the UTG. This, he said is very disheartening because the proper procedure was followed.

Dr Sidibeh revealed that Dr Jah was not the deputy vice chancellor and head of Admin before Professor Kah came. He said Dr Abubacarr Senghore is the acting dean of the faculty of Law and he does not know if Dr Senghore is related to Professor Kah.

The witness went on to say Professor Kah employed others without the governing council but he (DW2) was employed before Professor Kah came. He further stated that Professor Kah only refurbished and not upgrade the faculty of Law as described by the prosecutor, and that not all changes are positive. He said Professor Kah developing the faculty of law is not of his interest as he is interested in procedure. Dr Sidibeh then said that it is completely false at the highest degree that he came to court to testify against VC Kah out of grievances.

The case was adjourned to 19th September 2012 for adoption of briefs.