State Given Ultimatum in Willy Joof's Case

Magistrate Kayode sitting at the Banjul Magistrates' Court on Friday give the State Prosecutor an ultimatum to proceed on their case on the next adjourned date or else they would have their case close and the defence to open their defence.

According to Magistrate Kayode, he had observed the persistence absent of the State prosecutors. He said the court would gave them one more opportunity and if on the next adjourned date they fail to proceed, the court would close the prosecution case and grant leave for the defence to open their defence.

Defence counsel Lamin Camara earlier on told the court that the case was set for the continuation of the prosecution case. He said he would accommodate the prosecution one more chance, if on the next adjourned date they fail to proceed with their case, he would apply for the court to close the prosecution case and allowed the defence to open their defence. He added that the situation was unacceptable.

It could be recalled that the accused Willy Joof is standing trial on charges of official corruption, stealing, obtaining goods by false pretence, conspiracy to commit a felony and abuse of office. He was alleged to have committed these offences while serving as the Gambia Ambassador to the Republic of France. He denied all the allegations.

The case was adjourned until 2nd January 2009.