Women On Rampage Over FGM Case At Magistrate Court
The Daily Observer (Banjul)
NEWS
October 18, 2002
Posted to the web October 18, 2002
By Sidiq Asemota
Banjul
Thousands of women yesterday went on rampage at the Brikama Magistrates' Court
protesting against the arraignment of seven women who were alleged to have
forcefully circumcised one Hawa Nget by mutilating her genitalia in Tanji
village, Western Division.
The women who came from Gunjur, Sanyang, Tanji villages and Brikama Town
threatened to demonstrate to the State House in Banjul and seek audience with
President Jammeh if their colleagues were prosecuted by the Inspector General
of Police for practising female circumcision.
At the court premises, there were scores of women shouting pro female
circumcision slogans. "Female circumcision is our culture, President Jammeh
cannot stop it and no one can prosecute anyone for circumcising their
daughters," they ranted.
The police later intervened to calm the situation after some of the women had a
push and pull with some police officers attached to the court.
The rampage had followed the arraignment of Ngui Camara, Jalang Saidy, Kaddy
Jassey, Bacantan Manneh, Sarjo Camara, Jarrai Comma and Aja Susso before the
Brikama Magistrates' Court on charges of conspiracy to commit felony and
assault causing actual bodily harm.
According to the charge sheets, the accused persons were alleged to have
unlawfully assaulted Hawa Nget by gripping her and forcefully circumcising her
by mutilating her genitalia, thereby causing her actual bodily harm.
When the charge was read to the accused persons, they all pleaded not guilty to
the charge.
The Inspector General of Police represented by Sergeant 196 Joof made an
application to withdraw from the matter as the matter was still under
investigation.
At this juncture, Principal Magistrate King declared that it would be unfair to
incarcerate the women while the matter was still under investigation
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