The criminal trial for theft involving senior officials of the Ministry of Agriculture yesterday failed to proceed at the Banjul Magistrates’ Court before acting principal Magistrate Alagba.
Dr. Amadou Sowe, Permanent Secretary No.1, Abdurrahman Jobe, Permanent Secretary No. 2, Momodou Mbye Jabang, project manager, Bakary L.O. Sonko, deputy director of Agriculture at Cape Point and Mustapha Jatta, the accountant, were all present in court.
After it was communicated in court that the case could not proceed, it was adjourned till the 28th February 2011.
According to the alleged offence, between March and September 2010, at the Ministry of Agriculture at the Quadrangle in
The particulars of the offence against Dr. Amadou Sowe stated that in the same period and time, as the Permanent Secretary No.1, he fraudulently approved and received on various occasions the total sum of D314, 133.62 from the GNAIP fund.
Abdurrahman Jobe was alleged to have, in the same period and time, as the Permanent Secretary No.2, fraudulently approved and received on various occasions the sum of D87, 400.00 from the GNAIP fund.
The particulars of offence further stated that Bakary L.O. Sonko in the same period and time, as deputy Director of Agriculture at Cape Point fraudulently received on various occasions the total sum of D303, 000 from the GNAIP fund.
Whilst the particulars of offence for Mustapha Jatta stated that, in the same period and time, as accountant, he fraudulently received on various occasions the total sum of D69, 500 from the GNAIP fund.
Trial of the Badjies adjourned
Meanwhile, the trial of the former police chief Ensa Badjie, and Tijan Badjie, former head of prosecution at
The accused persons, who were all present in court, are facing multiple counts including conspiracy to defeat justice and interference with witnesses, abuse of office, deceiving witnesses and destroying evidence. Both have denied the charges.
The next hearing was set for 28th February 2011.
