IGP Sonko’s travel delays Ensa Badjie and Co case

Travel by the Inspector General of Police, Yankuba Sonko, had the effect of hindering progress in the case involving ex-police chief Ensa Badjie and Tijan Badjie, former officer commanding prosecution at Banjul Division, at the Banjul Magistrates’ Court before Principal Taiwo Ade Alagbe.

The two are standing trial on a four count-charge of conspiracy to defeat justice, destroying evidence, abuse of office and deceiving witnesses.

The case was not called in court yesterday, but parties were informed that the documents which the defence sought to be tendered were not certified by the IGP who was reported to have travelled out of the jurisdiction.

The case was then adjourned till 29 October 2012, for continuation.

The particulars of offence on count one stated that the accused persons, Ensa Badjie and Tijan Badjie, in 2008 in Banjul, allegedly conspired to falsely accuse Burama Dibba of having committed the offence of giving false information to a public servant before the Banjul Magistrates’ Court.

Count two indicated that Tijan Badjie in 2008, in Banjul, being a police prosecutor in the case of Inspector General of Police versus Musa Suso before the Bundung Magistrates’ Court, knowing that an investigation report of the panel that investigated the said Musa Suso was required in evidence, willfully concealed same with intent to prevent it from being used in evidence.

Count three also stated that Ensa Badjie and Tijan Badjie, in 2008 in Banjul, being employed in the public service as police officers, abused the authority of their offices and did or directed to be done, arbitrary acts prejudicial to the rights of others to wit maliciously arrested and caused the prosecution of Burama Dibba for the offence of giving false information to a public servant before the Banjul Magistrates’ Court without just cause.

Count four stated that the two, in 2008 in Banjul, knowing that Musa Suso may be called as a prosecution witness in the case of Inspector General of Police versus Burama Dibba, deceitfully tried to convince the said Musa Suso to give evidence against Burama Dibba with the intent of affecting his testimony.