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Momodou
Denmark
11851 Posts |
 Posted - 29 Feb 2008 : 20:34:32
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Fresh Charges Against Lieutenant Bakary Camara
By Bubacarr K. Sowe
Lieutenant Bakary Camara who was recently taken to court and jointly charged with two others for stealing a government vehicle, was on Tuesday arraigned in Court and charged with stealing and giving false information to a public officer. This time Lieutenant Camara is charged separately.
Initially, Lieutenant Camara, Manlafi Sanyang, controller of government vehicles, and Momodou Lamin Sonko, Proprietor of Boto Construction were jointly charged with conspiracy, stealing and economic crime. It is not clear whether the previous charges have been dropped.
Lieutenant Camara was re-arrested after he was granted bail by a High Court judge in the sum of one million dalasis. Appearing on Tuesday, at the Banjul Magistrates Court, Lieutenant Camara pleaded not guilty to one count of stealing and two counts of giving false information. He was granted bail in the sum of D50,000 and that he must provide a responsible Gambian surety , preferably a civil servant.
The accused is expected in court on February 28.
Bajinka Spotted At RVTH
Yahya Bajinka, an agent of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and a brother to Major Bajinka (who is on the run) was on Tuesday 19 February, 2008 spotted at the Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital in Banjul. Bajinka was spotted by this reporter while he was being escorted by a soldier and prison wardens. Bajinka was rearrested on 16 April, 2007 at Brikama by plain clothes officers and whisked away to the State Central Prison.
According to sources, Mr. Bajinka is languishing at the maximum security wing at Mile Two Central Prison. Sources say his health condition has deteriorated.
However, Bajinka looked weak in appearance and his health appeared to be deteriorating.
Family members have expressed concern over the health condition of their beloved one, whom they regard as their sole bread-winner. Family sources noted that the detention of Mr. Bajinka has caused them continuous sleepless nights and psychological strains. They have called on the authorities to release him or charge and try him in any competent court of law. He was put on board a white coloured Mitsubishi vehicle and taken to Mile II.
Where Are Jasaja Kujabie And Others
After Two Years Of Arrest
By Modou Jonga
The whereabouts of Jasaha Kujabie of Dobong, and Haruna Jammeh and Macie Jammeh (residents of Kanilai) is still unknown, family sources say.
They noted that the trio were arrested on the same day during the rainy season in 2005 and were whisked away to Kanilai by plain clothes officers purportedly for interrogation, but they have not been seen since then. Family sources told this paper that they have visited the police headquarters to locate the whereabouts of their loved ones, but to no avail. While indicating that no reason has been advanced for the arrest and continued detention of the detainees by the state authorities, family sources noted that they are not aware of any court proceedings against their loved ones. They urged the concerned and relevant authorities to release their loved ones or charge and try them in any competent court of law as the detention of the trio has a severe economic and psychological impact on them (their families).
Press Officer Mam Sait Ceesay Appears In Court
By Fabakary B. Ceesay
Journalist Mam Sait Ceesay, the former press officer at the office of the president has appeared before the Banjul Magistrates Court and pleaded not guilty to two counts of false publication and broadcasting.
The particulars of offence on count one states that Mam Sait Ceesay, on or about the 8 of August 2007, wilfully, negligently or recklessly, or having no reasons to believe that it is true, published in the Daily Observer, that Alex Dacosta has been appointed as Director of Press and Public Relations at the office of the president, when J.T Kujabi is still the sustentative holder of that position and thereby commits an offence.
The particulars of offence on count two also indicates that Mam Sait Ceesay, wilfully, negligently or recklessly, or having no reasons to believe that it is true, published “Through” the Daily Observer that Alex Dacosta has been appointed Director of Press and Public Relations Office at the office of the president, when K.T Kujabi is still the sustantative holder of that position and thereby commits an offence. Mr. Ceesay pleaded not guilty to the two counts and was granted bail in the sum of D10, 000 and that he must provide one Gambian surety. The matter was then adjourned till 10 March for the continuation of the case. The trial Magistrate was Magistrate Olajubutu Kayode and the defence counsel was Antouman Gaye, and Inspector Yaya Touray stood for the state.
Charge D’ Affaire Continues Testimony In Willy Joof’s Trial
By Bubacarr K. Sowe
The cross-examination of Moses Benjamin Jallow, charge d’affaire of The Gambia Embassy in France, continued in the trial of William Joof, ex-ambassador to France. Appearing on Tuesday at the Banjul Magistrates Court, Mr. Jallow testified during cross-examination by defence counsel, Lamin Camara that a bank account was opened by Mr. Joof in 2004. When he was reminded by the defence counsel that on January 23, he told the court that the UNESCO delegate did not have any account, the witness replied in the affirmative.
The charge d’affaire said that he had never seen the vehicle Mr. Joof allegedly purchased, but he said he knew how it was purchased. On the appointment of Michel Coencas, Mr. Jallow said that was in 2004 and he knew it verbally, but not by the appointment letter.
He added that Mr. Coencas’s appointment was terminated by Mr. Joof according to a note the accused person sent to the UNESCO Secretariat. The note sent to UNESCO was shown to the witness who recognised it.
The defence counsel asked Mr. Jallow whether he had seen any document apart from the note, but the witness replied in the negative.
At this point, the Director of Public Prosecutions, Emmanuel Fagbenle objected to the question from his colleague, arguing that it is touching on the content of the note when it is not yet admitted in evidence.
Consequently, the court has to adjourn for a ruling on the argument. Mr. Joof is facing charges of abuse of office, official corruption, obtaining goods by false pretences, stealing and conspiracy.
Carnegie Minerals MD In Court
By Fabakary B. Ceesay
Lawyer CE Mene, on Monday 25 February sought a review of the bail conditions of his client, Mr. Charles Northfield, the Managing Director of Carnegie Minerals Company .The defence counsel sought this application before Justice Na Ceesay Salla Wadda of the Banjul High Court.
In his application, Mr. Mene stated that his application stems from the agreement which was before the court on the review of the bail condition. He recalled that on the last adjournment of the matter it was stated that a formal application be made and that it was not objected to by the State. He noted that the records show that the motion for review of the bail condition was never opposed by the state, adding that he would rely on the affidavit that is attached to the motion. He pointed out that the application to review the bail condition only deals with the deposit of $100,000 dollars and nothing more. Mr. Mene emphasised that the agreement was endorsed by the State on the 21 February. He also admitted having the affidavit by the state, stating that the affidavit is inconsistent with the earlier agreement reached on 21 February. He asserted that when parties make an agreement before the court, it would be on record; that both parties should commit to it. He noted that if the court does not agree to an alternative of depositing $100,000 plus the company’s equipment, the original bail bond providing for an amount of D5 million and two title deeds worth D2 million should be reduced. He pointed out that until that order is complied with, then the earlier order would remain standing.
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Mr. Emmanuel Fagbenle in response stated that the State had earlier on stated it will not oppose the application for the review of the bail condition. He stated that the state had filed an affidavit in response to the defence’s application in order to avoid inconsistency. He added that the prosecution would also like to be provided with the property attached to the bail bond to enable them to monitor the bail.
Mr. Charles Northfield, the Managing Director of the Mining Company, Carnegie Mineral Company, is standing trial on three counts of economic crimes and theft.
Sheriff Minteh’s Murder Trial
Witness Stands Firm On Her Testimony
By Saikou Ceesay
The fifth prosecution witness in the trial of Dodou Janneh, alias Dodou Boy, has stood firmly by her testimony that the late Sheriff Minteh told her at the point of death that the accused, Dodou Janneh, had stabbed him (the deceased).
The witness, Yassin Minteh, insisted on this point during cross-examination by defence counsel Lawyer Lamin S. Camara, at the proceedings of Tuesday 26 February 2008. Lawyer Camara suggested to the witness that the deceased may not have referred to the accused when he (the deceased) said “he stabbed ,me” because he did not point his finger to the accused. In response the witness said she stood by the statement she made to the police.
When asked whether she knows the police officer who took her statement, she answered in the negative. Upon further questioning she said her statement was taken before the burial of the late Sheriff Minteh. When challenged she maintained that she had mentioned the name of the accused to the police officer who took her statement.
Miss Minteh acknowledged that she did not know the accused, but pointed out that people recognise him facially and by his name. She also acknowledged that she had never seen the accused before the incident.
She also admitted that she had no idea of the number of people present at the scene, noting that her mind was focused on her brother who was bleeding profusely at the time.
The fifth prosecution witness has ended her testimony and the sixth prosecution witness is expected to testify at the next proceedings scheduled for Wednesday 5th March 2008. The trial is taking place at the Bundung Magistrates Court before Mrs. Kumba Sillah Camara. The accused is still remanded in custody at Mile II Prisons.
Bail Application For Boto Sonko
By Fabakary B. Ceesay
Defence counsel, Antouman Gaye has filed a bail application on behalf of Mr. Momodou Lamin Sonko, alias “Boto Sonko,” before Justice Na Ceesey Salla-Wadda of the Banjul High Court. The application was heard on Monday 25 February.
The State Counsel Emmanuel O. Fagbenle, said he has received the application and he would not oppose it. He stated that the application should inform the court of the information on the materials that the applicant should produce before the court with regards to the economic crime, stating that there was a pending application pertaining to the applicant which was granted by the Chief Justice.
Mr. Fagbenle added that for the facilitation of justice, he would prefer an adjournment to enable him to provide the court with all the necessary materials pertaining to the case. Defence Counsel Gaye noted that he understand the position of the state, noting that it would be necessary for the state to provide the defence with documents to enable them to react to it. It could be recalled that Mr. Sonko, the proprietor of Boto construction has been in detention for almost a week.
Magistrate To Discharge Italian If...
By Bubacarr K. Sowe
Domenico Fideli, a 49 year-old Italian will be discharged from a charge of stealing a Kanilai Farms vehicle, if the prosecution fails to proceed with the case, said the presiding Magistrate on Thursday.
Magistrate Olajubutu Kayode said this after an application for an adjournment of the case by the prosecutor, Inspector Yaya Touray. The Magistrate said that he would adjourn the matter for the last time and the prosecution should bring it’s witnesses by 26 February.
He added that if the prosecution fails to proceed, he would consequently discharge the accused person for want of diligent prosecution.
Mr. Fideli is on trial for stealing a motor vehicle belonging to Kanilai Farms at the licensing department of the Gambia police force.
The particulars of the offence show that the alleged incident occurred on January 10 2008, and the vehicle registration number is BJL 4063 B.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issues
Issue No 24/2008, 27 - 28 February 2008
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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