Deputy Chief of Protocol, appears in Government Theft Case

Mr Omar Gibba, deputy Chief of Protocol Office of the President on Friday testified before Magistrate Kayode of the Banjul Magistrates' Court in the ongoing trial of Lt. Bakary Camara, Manlafi Sanyang and Domenico Fedelish, all standing accused of stealing a Government vehicle with registration number BJL4063 B.

In his testimony, the deputy Chief of Protocol first identified Lt. Bakary Camara and Manlafi Sanyang as Body Guard to the President and as Government Vehicles Controller respectively. He then stated: "I can recall on the 18th January 2008, I was invited to the office of the IGP to verify some information pertaining to a vehicle BJL4063B." Mr Gibba further revealed that the said vehicle was assigned to the 3rd accused, Domenico Fedelish, during his work at the AU Villas, adding that the agreement was that after the work, he was supposed to return the vehicle. Mr Gibba concluded that he afterwards made  a statement in connection to the matter.

Meanwhile in another case, the state has further charged Manlafi Sanyang with three counts. He now faces two counts of abuse of office and one count of stealing.

On count one, the statement of offence revealed that Manlafi Sanyang, being employed in the service of the Government of The Gambia as Controller of Government vehicles, sometime in June 2002 sold a government vehicle officially registered BJL4591 A without authorisation.

On count two, the accused is alleged to have sold the said vehicle to one Alhagi Conteh sometime in June 2002 while employed in the service of the Government of the Gambia as Controller of Government Vehicles.

On count three, he is accused of stealing D75,000, being the proceeds from the sale of the said vehicle to one Alhagi Conteh sometime in June 2002, while being employed in service of the Government of The Gambia as Controller of Government Vehicles.

The case was adjourned to 6th May, 2008.