Trial of Ex-IGP Ensa Badjie and co adjourned

The trial of former police chief Ensa Badjie and former officer commanding prosecution Banjul Division, Tijan Badjie, was yesterday adjourned till 22nd June 2011, at the Banjul Magistrates’ Court before the acting-Principal Magistrate Tawio Ade Alagba.

The two Badjies are being tried on charges of conspiracy to defeat justice and interference with witnesses, destroying evidence, and abuse of office.

When the case was called, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) M. Abdullah said the prosecution was ready to proceed with the cross-examination of the third prosecution witness.

However, Ensa Badjie, the first accused person, told the court that he wanted an adjournment of the case for a week to enable him hire the services of a legal counsel, who would cross-examine the third prosecution witness on his behalf. The court granted his request.

According to the particulars of offence, Ensa Badjie and Tijan Badjie in 2008 in Banjul, allegedly conspired to falsely accused Burama Dibba of having committed an offence of giving false information to a public servant before the Banjul Magistrates’ Court.

Count two indicated that Tijan Badjie in 2008 in the 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 thereby 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 duo 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 intent of affecting his testimony.