Defence witness testifies in Dr Njogu Bah and Co trial

The acting Principal Registrar at the Banjul High Court, Haddy Joof, yesterday testified as a defence witness in the trial involving former Justice Minister Lamin AMS Jobarteh, Pa Harry Jammeh, the former Solicitor General and Dr Njogu L Bah, the former Secretary General.

The three are being tried under a three-count which included conspiracy to carry out a lawful purpose by an unlawful means, giving false information to a public officer, and abuse of office, at the Special Criminal Court in Banjul before Justice Emmanuel Nkea.

Designated as defence witness one (DW1), Haddy Joof, who was called by the 1st accused person, Jobarteh, to tender a document, told the court that she had recently certified an exhibit of a case file, and would be able to recognise it.

An exhibit was shown to her, which she identified and said the original was in the case file.

Counsel BS Touray then applied to tender the said exhibit, which was admitted and marked as a defence exhibit.

The case continues on 28 November 2013.

 Lamin AMS Jobarteh, Pa Harry Jammeh, and Dr Njogu L. Bah, were accused on count one that, between January and February 2013, in the Banjul City Council, within the jurisdiction of the court, conspired among themselves to remove Justice Wowo, a sitting Judge of the Court of Appeal of The Gambia by an lawful means, to wit, orchestrating his arrest, detention and mock trial, and thereby committed an offence.

On Count two, Lamin AMS Jobarteh, Pa Harry Jammeh, and Dr Njogu L. Bah, were alleged that in January 2013, in the Banjul City Council, within the jurisdiction of the court, with intent to cause the termination of the service of Justice Wowo, fed John Belford( in his capacity as the Judicial Secretary of The Gambia) and the members of the Judicial Service Commission of The Gambia with information to the effect that his Excellency, the President of The Gambia had directed the termination of the appointment of Justice Wowo, knowing the information to be false and thereby committed an offence.

Lamin AMS Jobarteh, Pa Harry Jammeh, and Dr Njogu L. Bah, were further alleged on count three that, between January and February 2013, in the Banjul City Council, within the jurisdiction of the court, whilst in their offices as the Attorney General and Minister of Justice of The Gambia, and Solicitor General of The Gambia, and Secretary General and Head of Civil Service of The Gambia, respectively, abused the authority of their respective offices, by arbitrarily causing the arrest detention, and termination of the appointment of Justice Wowo, and thereby committed an offence.