Willy Joof Trial Suffers Setback

The trial of Willy Joof, who has been standing trial on an eight-count charge of official corruption, obtaining money by false pretence, stealing, conspiracy to commit a felony and abuse of office, last Friday suffered another setback, as the case could not proceed at the Banjul Magistrates' Court.

The case was before Magistrate Kayode.

Defence Counsel Lamin Camara explained that the State Counsel had told him that the prosecution witness was attending a graduation ceremony, and so could not be present in court. He therefore urged the court to adjourn the case until a later date.

It could be recalled that the accused, Willy Joof, was alleged that while serving as Gambia Ambassador to France, corruptly received the sum of 15,000 Euros (Fifteen Thousand Euros) from one Gerrard Nuss, in order to appoint him into the Consular Service of The Gambia.

It was revealed also that the accused Willy Joof while serving as Gambia Ambassador to France with intent to defraud obtained the total sum of 160,000 French Frances equivalent to 24,391 Euros from one Gerrard Nuss, on the pretext that the payment is required for his appointment into the Consular service of The Gambia.

He was also been alleged that while serving as The Gambia Ambassador to France converted to his personal use, the sum of Euros 15,000 (Fifteen Thousand) paid to the account of Delegation of the Republic of The Gambia to UNESCO.

Other charges include conspiracy to commit a felony and abuse of office. He vehemently denied all the allegations.

The case was then adjourned until 12thDecember 2008