Senior Government Officials' Trial Opens

The trial of Bai Ousman Secka and Muhammed Batata Juwara, former senior officals at the Department of State for Foreign Affairs, commenced on Wednesday before Magistrate Mboto of Banjul Magistrates' Court.

The sitting saw the testimony of Pw1, Lamin Bai Bojang. In his testimony PW1 told the court that he joined the Foreign Affairs Department in 1996 as assistant secretary. He informed the court that he wrote official correspondence on behalf of the Permanent Secretary. He revealed  that he also handled personal files. He said he knew one Isatou Njie, once a Cadet Administrative Officer at the Department of State for Foreign Affairs. Mr Bojang further revealed that Isatou Njie, as Cadet Administrative Officer, normally wrote on behalf of the Permanent Secretary on administrative matters. He added that he had cause to show Isatou Njie correspondence minuted to him in September 2007.

He further adduced the letter conveying the declaration of Isatou Njie's intention to leave the job was dated 28th September 2007 and addressed to the Permanent Secretary and the Personnel Management Office.

At that juncture the state counsel attempted to tender the letter but this was objected to by the defence team on the grounds that no proper foundation had been laid since the letter was secondary evidence.

The case was then adjourned to 6th May for ruling and continuation.