Ebrima Jawara and his co-accused were, on 7 September 2015, arraigned before Magistrate Fatou Darboe of the Banjul Magistrates’ Court on a ten-count charge, ranging from economic crime, stealing by clerk or servant, to theft and abuse of office, which they all denied.
The case was then transferred to the high court for lack of jurisdiction. It was also later heard at the high court before a vacation judge, Justice Muhammed Dan Azumi Balarabe, for bail application.
The other persons involved in the case are Dr Alasan Bah, Sulayman Manneh, Lamin Fatajo and Momodou Lamin Mass.
When the case was called yesterday, DPP S.H. Barkun appeared for the state, counsel Modou Drammeh appeared for the 2nd accused, senior counsel Hawa Sisay-Sabally appeared for the 1st accused, and BS Touray appeared for the 4th and 5th accused.
The 3rd accused, Sulayman Manneh, was absent together with his counsel.
DPP Barkun then informed the court that the bill of indictment was “almost ready” and it would be filed and submitted to the court.
He then applied for an adjournment for mentioning of the matter.
Senior counsel Hawa Sisay-Sabally said she hoped that would be the last time the DPP would ask for an adjournment based on the fact that the bill of indictment was not ready.
DPP then assured the court that they would file the bill of indictment.
The trial Judge then adjourned the case until 22 February 2016, at 2pm for plea taking, and asked the DPP to endeavour to file the bill of indictment before the next court sitting.
