FOROYAA Newspaper (Serrekunda)
Mamadou Dem
3 June 2011
The case of the five Agric officials, Momodou Mbye Jabang, Project Manager at the Ministry of Agriculture, Amadou Sowe, Permanent Secretary 1, Bakary Sonko, Deputy Director Cape Point, Abdurrahman Jobe, Permanent Secretary 2, and Mustapha Jatta, was on Wednesday adjourned by acting Principal Magistrate Alagbe Taiwo Ade of the Banjul Magistrates’ court.
When the case was called, the Presiding Magistrate told the Prosecutor that the matter was adjourned for definite hearing and asked him whether he is ready to move with his case.
Police prosecutor Superintendent Sainey Joof told the court that he is applying for an adjournment on the grounds that the matter is still under investigation and that no witness was forwarded to him by the investigators.
Senior Counsel Antouman Gaye, leading defence counsel, together with Lamin S Camara and Segga Gaye, said it is the prerogative of the court to exercise its powers in striking out the matter. He added that the court has every power to strike out the case for lack of diligent prosecution.
Gaye further told the court that giving another adjournment will not be justice to the accused persons as they have always been appearing in court and that the prosecutor should withdraw their case until when they are ready to proceed.
He finally urged the court to strike out the matter until when the prosecution is ready to come back.
Superintendent Joof pleaded with the court to give them time in order to enable the investigators to investigate the matter as it involves so many institutions.
The trial Magistrate ruled that the matter is adjourned sine die until the prosecution puts its house in order.
The accused persons have earlier pleaded not guilty as charged.
They are charged on the alleged offences below:
Momodou Mbye Jabang
Statement of offence
Stealing by clerk and servant contrary to section 258 of the Criminal Code Cap 10 Volume 111. Laws of the Gambia 1990.
Particulars of offence
Momodou Mbye Jabang between the month of March to September, 2010 at the Ministry of Agriculture at the Quadrangle in the City of Banjul, Republic of the Gambia, by virtue of your position as Project Manager you fraudulently received on various occasion the total sum of D350606 from the Gambia National Agricultural Investment Programmed (GNAIP) fund, thereby committed an offence.
Bakary L.O. Sonko
Statement of offence
Stealing by Clerk and Servant Contrary to Section 258 of the Criminal Code Cap 10 Volume 111. Laws of the Gambia 1990.
Particulars of offence
Bakary L.Q..Sonko between the month of March to September, 2010 at the Ministry of Agriculture at the Quadrangle in the City of Banjul, Republic of the Gambia, by virtue of your position as Deputy Director Cape Point, you fraudulently received on various occasion the total sum of D303, 000.00 from the Gambia National Agricultural Investment Programme (GNAIP) fund, thereby committed an offence
Abdourahman Jobe
Statement of offence
Stealing by Clerk and Servant Contrary to Section 258 of the Criminal Code Cap 10 Volume 111. Laws of the Gambia 1990
Particulars of offence
Abdourahman Jobe between the month of March to September, 2010 at the Ministry of Agriculture at the Quadrangle in the City of Banjul, Republic of the Gambia, by virtue of your position as Permanent Secretary 11, you fraudulently approved and received on various occasion the total sum of D87, 400.00 from the Gambia National Agricultural Investment Programme (GNAIP) fund, thereby committed an offence
Mustapha Jatta,
Statement of offence
Stealing by Clerk and Servant Contrary to Section 258 of the Criminal
Code Cap 10 Volumes 111. Laws of the Gambia 1990
Particulars of offence
Mustapha Jatta between the month of March to September, 2010 at the Ministry of Agriculture at the Quadrangle in the City of Banjul, Republic of the Gambia, by virtue of your position as Accounts Clerk, you fraudulently received on various occasion the total sum of D69, 500.00 from the Gambia National Agricultural Investment Programmed (GNAIP) fund, thereby committed an offence
Dr. Amadou Sowe
Statement of offence
Stealing by Clerk and Servant Contrary to Section 258 of the Criminal Code Cap 10 Volumes 111. Laws of the Gambia 1990
Particulars of offence
Dr. Amadou Sowe between the month of March to September, 2010 at the Ministry of Agriculture at the Quadrangle in the City of Banjul, Republic of the Gambia, by virtue of your position as Permanent Secretary 1, you fraudulently approved and received on various occasion the total sum of D314, 133.62 from the Gambia National Agricultural investment Programmed (GNAIP) fund, thereby committed an offence.
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