Ex-Minister Waa Juwara and co trial continues

The other accused persons are Hamidou Jallow, Principal Lands and Evaluation Officer at the said Ministry, and Tamsir Onasis Konteh, a local businessman.

The trial that resumed yesterday for cross-examination of the first prosecution witness (PW1), but could not proceed as the state counsel was reported to be on another official engagement.

When the case was called in court, the defense counsel, Sheriff Marie Tambedou, informed the court that he received a called from the state counsel in charge of the case, informing them she had another official engagement, and could not make it to court.

The case was then adjourned to 3 September 2013, for continuation of the cross-examination.

Tamsir Onasis Konteh and Hamidou Jallow were accused in count one that in November 2011, in Banjul, within the jurisdiction of the court, conspired to use forged documents to claim compensation in respect of Tanji Residential Layout and thereby committed an offence.

Tamsir Onasis Konteh was also accused in count two that in November 2011, in Banjul, within the jurisdiction of the court, made a document purported to be land title documents issued by the Alkalo of Tanji Village in order to claim compensation in the respect of plots acquired for Tanji Residential Layout and thereby committed an offence.

In count three, Tamsir Onasis Konteh, was alleged that in November 2011, in Banjul, within the jurisdiction of the court, knowingly and fraudulently, uttered false documents in order to claim compensation in respect of the plots acquired for Tanji Residential Layout and thereby committed an offence.

In count four, Tamsir Onasis Konteh, was further alleged that in November 2011, in Banjul within the jurisdiction of the court, with intent to defraud, obtained D300,000 from one Edward T.Sambou, as a consideration of plot of land at Tanji Residential Layout with knowledge that the said plots were allocated to him under questionable circumstances and thereby committed an offence

Hamidou Jallow was also accused in count five that in November 2011, in Banjul, within the jurisdiction of the court, being employed in the public service and in his capacity as Principal Lands and Evaluation Officer, caused plots of lands (Nos. C8 and C9) to be allocated as compensation to Tamsir Onasis Knoteh, with knowledge that the said plots were already allocated to Kanilai Family Farms and Mr. Basirou Sambou respectively and with the knowledge that the said Tamsir Onasis Konteh was not qualified for any and thereby committed and offence

In count six, Hamidou Jallow, was alleged that in November 2011, in Banjul, within the jurisdiction of the court, being employed in the public service and in his capacity as Principal Lands and Evaluation Officer, caused plots of lands (Nos C8 and C9), to be allocated as compensation to Tamsir Onasis Konteh as against the laid down procedure for the award of compensation and thereby committed an offence.

It was further alleged in count seven that, Hamidou Jallow, in November 2011, in Banjul, within the jurisdiction of the court, being employed in the public service and his capacity as Principal Lands Evaluation Officer, and in disobedience of the order of the director of lands, caused compensation to be paid to Tamsir Onasis Konteh and thereby committed an offence.

Lamin Waa Juwara, in count eight was alleged that, in November 2011, in Banjul, within the jurisdiction of the court, being employed in the public service and in his capacity as Minister of Regional Administrations, Lands and Traditional Rulers, by willful negligent act, caused plots of lands(Nos. C8 and C9) to be allocated as compensation to Tamsir Onasis Konateh with the knowledge that the said plots were already allocated to Kanilai Family Farms and Mr. Basirou Sambou respectively and with the knowledge that the said Tamsir Onasis Konteh was not qualified for any and thereby committed an offence.