More Charges For Former GRA Employee

The state had filed six more charges against Awa Trawally, a former employee of the Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) who is standing trial for giving false information, bringing it to a total of seven counts.

She had vehemently denied all the charges.

According to the particulars of offence on count one, on 8th of June 2009, at the city of Banjul, she gave false information to the Chairman of Appointment, Promotion and Disciplinary Committee of GRA and copied it to the Secretary-General, Office of President that there is injustice, sexually harassment and corruption at the GRA.

The particulars of offence on count two, states that on 31st July 2009 in Banjul, the accused gave false information to the police that Assiatou Kora was sexually harassed by Mr. James Johnson, GRA's Deputy Commissioner Operations.

On count three, it reads that on 8th June 2009 in the city of Banjul, the accused gave false information to the Chairman of the Appointment, Promotion and Disciplinary Committee of GRA and copied it to the Secretary-General, Office of the President, that Veronic Carayol had sexual affairs with the said Mr. James Johnson, in exchange for authority.

Count four reads that on the same day, she gave false information to the Chairman of Appointment and Promotion and Disciplinary Committee of GRA and copied it to the Secretary-General, Office of President that Alieu Ceesay, Deputy Commissioner, Technical Services of the GRA gave incorrect orders and forced junior officers to sign wrong documents.

Count five reads that, on 31st July 2009 in Banjul, she gave false information to the police that, Baboucarr Loum and Edrissa Touray, were recruited into GRA without any formal process of interview.

While count six alleges that the accused gave false information to the Chairman of Appointment, Promotion and Disciplinary Committee of GRA and copied it to the Secretary-General, Office of the President, that there is a Mandinka syndicate ( Kaabudu) in GRA, which is responsible for deciding the fate of GRA personnel.

Count seven states that on 8th June 2009 in Banjul, the accused gave false information to the Chairman of Appointment, Promotion and Disciplinary Committee of GRA and copied it to the Secretary-General, Office of the President, that Baba Trawally, Commissioner of Customs and Excise, was holding two jobs.

The Defence Counsel for the accused, Ms .H. Gaye applied for an adjournment on the grounds that she was just served with the new charge sheet.

The Presiding Magistrate, Emmanuel .A. Nkan, adjourned the case to 23rd September 2009.