#Article (Archive)

Bun Sanneh, 2 others deny new charges

Dec 23, 2011, 12:55 PM | Article By: Bakary Samateh

Ibrahim Bun Sanneh, former NDEA executive director, Karamo Bojang, former deputy director of the agency and Ousman Sanneh, former commissioner of operations of the agency yesterday denied new charges brought against them at the Banjul Magistrates’ Court.

The new charges include abuse of office, conspiracy to commit felony and destroying evidence, which they denied.

The case was subsequently adjourned till 3 January 2012.

 Defence counsel Kebba Sanyang told the court that he leaves the matter of bail at the discretion of the court.

According to the particulars of offence on count one, Ibrahim Bun Sanneh, Karamo Bojang and Ousman Sanneh, between 17 April 2007 and sometime in 2009, in Banjul and at various places in The Gambia, conspired to destroy two kilos of cocaine, being evidence in the prosecution of Illidia Barbosa Dacosta, and thereby committed an offence.

Count two stated that, Ibrahim Bun Sanneh and Ousman Sanneh, sometime in 2009, in Banjul and other places in The Gambia, whilst being employed in the public services of The Gambia, and being charged with the duty of drug law-enforcement, directed for the reimbursement of the plea bargain money to Illidia Dacosta, against the court ruling, and thereby prejudicing the right of the NDEA to maintain the proceeds of the plea bargain.

The charge sheet on count three stated that Ibrahim Bun Sanneh and Ousman Sanneh between 17 April 2008 and 18 December 2008, in Banjul and other places within the jurisdiction of the court, whilst employed in public service of The Gambia, directed for the withdrawal of the case of NDEA against one Illidia Barbosa Dacosta, in abuse of authority of their office and, in effect, prejudicing the right of the NDEA to prosecute the said Illidia Barbosa Dacosta.

Count four stated that Ibrahim Bun Sanneh and Karamo Bojang, between 21 January and December 2009, knowing that two kilos of cocaine are required as evidence, in the case of the NDEA against Illidia Barbosa Dacosta, willfully destroyed those two kilos of cocaine, with intent to prevent the said cocaine from being used in evidence, and thereby committed an offence.