Ensa Badjie abuse of office case resumes

The case for abuse of office involving former police chief Ensa Badjie, resumed yesterday at the Banjul Magistrates’ Court, which heard the address made by the prosecuting officer, Superintendent Sainey Joof.

Superintendent Joof told the court that the accused person was charged with the offence of abuse of office.

It was not in dispute, he  said, adding that the accused person was the Inspector General of Police at the time when the traffic offence occurred, and it was not also in dispute that the accused person was in contact with Ousman Jammeh alias “Baka”.

According to Superintendant Joof, it was the duty of the prosecution to prove the charge against the accused beyond all reasonable doubts, noting that during the interrogation of Ousman Jammeh, he admitted using his cell phone to communicate to the accused person to release him.

He said according to the prosecution witnesses, when Ouman Jammeh alias “Baka” was arrested, he used his cell phone to call the accused, then IGP, to free him from the case.

He added that the accused told the court in his evidence-in-chief that he told Baka that it was none of his business, and asked him to sort it out with those who arrested him as he did not want to interfere with their duties.

The prosecution further submitted that evidence had been adduced from the prosecution witnesses, including the ex-captain Lamin Fatty, that when “Baka” arrived at the National Guard Post in Senegambia, he was talking on the phone.

He submitted further that ex-captain Lamin Fatty equally confirmed that he talked with someone on the phone, telling him to release “Baka” and the voice was just like that of the accused person.

“Your Worship, this is enough grounds that the prosecution has proved the essential elements of their case,” he added.

Corporal Saho, the traffic officer, also confirmed to the court that the accused person personally called him on Baka’s phone, and asked him to release “Baka”, which the officer did for fear of losing his job, Joof continued.

At that juncture, the case was adjourned till 20 December 2011, for the defence counsel to reply on points of law.

According to the alleged offence, in 2009 in the Kanifing Municipality, the accused person, Ensa Badjie, by virtue of his position as the Inspector General of Police, ordered the release of one Ousman Jammeh alias “Baka” who was held for traffic offences along Senegambia, and thereby committed an offence.