Joseph Wowo, who was charged with similar offences earlier this year, was arraigned before Magistrate Lamin Mbai, who subsequently remanded him in state custody pending his next appearance in court, on 21st August.
Appearing before the court unrepresented, Wowo denied the charges and applied for the court to grant him bail as the offence charged is bailable and a misdemeanour.
‘‘The court should consider my status as former Chief Justice, and grant me self recognized bail conditions,” he pleaded with the court.
The police prosecuting officer, Sgt Manga, opposed bail for the former CJ, stating that investigations into the case are ongoing, and granting him bail will likely jeopardize their case.
“Your Worship investigations in this case are incomplete,” Sgt Manga told the court.
He told the court that if the former Chief Justice was granted bail, he would likely interfere with state witnesses or even jump bail, adding that the case is just for mention.
Magistrate Lamin Mbai, after evaluating arguments of both the former Chief Justice and the prosecutor, denied Wowo bail and remanded him in custody until 21st August.
In count one, Wowo was accused of writing a letter dated 3rd December 2012 to the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) informing them that the registrar of the High Court Mrs. Mariama Ceesay informed him (Wowo) that Mrs. Amie Bensouda requested for records, which Mariama Ceesay refused and referred her to the Sheriff of the High Court Mr. Buba Jawo, information he knew to be false.
On count two, prosecutors accused Wowo of writing a letter to National Intelligence Agency on December 3, 2012 informing them that the staff of the high court registry informed him (Wowo) that Amie Bensouda said that they compile all cases and not land cases, information prosecutors said Wowo knew to be false or believed to be false.
Count three’s indictment stated that Joseph Wowo on or about the 3rd of December 2012, wrote a letter dated 3rd December 2012 to the National Intelligence Agency informing them that Miss Anna Njie from Amie Bensouda’s Chamber lied to you (Wowo) when she told you that the information they wanted was only relating to land cases, information you knew to be or believed to be false.
In count four, Wowo was further accused that within the same time and place of writing to the NIA, informed them that the conduct of Amie Bensouda tended to undermine the administration of the Judiciary, information he knew to be false.
On count five, prosecutors accused Wowo of writing to the NIA within same time and place, informing them that Mrs. Amie Bensouda conducted her activities in a clandestine manner, information he knew or believed to be false.
On count six, Wowo was accused of writing another letter informing the NIA that after his letter of complaint to the NIA about the activities of Amie Bensouda, her Chamber later sent a letter requesting for a collection of data on the resolution of land disputes, information he knew or believed to be false.
Wowo was accused on count seven of informing the National Intelligence Agency that the letters from Amie Bensouda and Co was received by him (Wowo) on the 6th December 2012, information he knew or believed to be false.
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