Sabally trial fails to proceed

According to reliable sources, the trial judge’s contract had expired, and as a result the case could not proceed.

The amended charge sheet read in court in count one stated that Momodou Sabally, in May 2014 in Banjul did commit an offence while serving as Secretary General, Head of the Civil Service, and Minister for Presidential Affairs, causing economic loss to Social Security and Housing Finance Corporation to the tune of D402,500, by unduly influencing the said SSHFC to fund a programme titled: “Youth Career Development Program” organised by one Mariama Sillah, without recourse to due process and thereby committed an offence.

Count two stated that Momodou Sabally in May 2014 caused economic loss to the Gambia government to the tune of D38, 424 being money received by him as per diem for a trip to South Africa to attend the inauguration ceremony of President Jacob Zuma, which he neglected to attend, and thereby committed an offence.

Count three stated that Momodou Sabally in May 2014 influenced SSHFC to sponsor a programme titled: “Youth Career Development Program” organised by one Mariama Sillah and thereby committed an offence.

Count four stated that Momodou Sabally in May 2014, in blatant disregard of due process influenced SSHFC to sponsor the programme organised by Mariama Sillah.

Count five read that Momodou Sabally on 22 May 2014 while being part of the Gambian delegation to South Africa to attend the inauguration of President Jacob Zuma, willfully neglected to attend the same inauguration and thereby committed an offence.

Count six said Momodou Sabally on 22 May 2014, in Banjul within the jurisdiction of the court, while being part of the Gambian delegation to South Africa to attend the inauguration of President Jacob Zuma, willfully and negligently delayed the departure of the Vice President’s flight from South Africa for 45 minutes and thereby committed an offence.

Count seven read that Momodou Sabally sometime in 2014 presented two vehicles being the property of Alasan Ndoye to the President as a gift, and thereby committed an offence.

Count eight stated that Momodou Sabally sometime in 2014, with intent to annoy and cause financial loss to Alasan Ndoye, informed the President that the said Alasan Ndoye has given two vehicles to the President, which information he knew to be false and thereby committed an offence.

Sabally denied any wrongdoing.