Former PS Petroleum’s trial continues

The trial involving one Muntaga Sallah, former permanent secretary at the Ministry of Petroleum, yesterday continued at the Banjul Magistrates’ Court before principal magistrate MS Jallow.

The case continued with the cross-examination of Roheyatou Kah, deputy permanent secretary at the Ministry of Petroleum.

DPS Kah told the court the only comment she made at the meeting she attended was that they should abide by the Gambia Public Procurement Authority (GPPA) regulations, based on the amount.

Asked by the defence counsel what the amount was, she said a million dalasis.

Told that this was not correct, and that she the DPS was not familiar with the GPPA regulations, DPS Kah told the court she was familiar with the GPPA regulations.

Further asked whether it was not correct that if the funds were not utilized they would be returned to the donors, based on their agreement with her office, DPS Kah said: “I don’t know about that, whether the funds will be returned to donors or not; I can’t remember that.”

Hearing continues.

The charge sheet presented in court in count one stated that Muntaga Sallah, sometime in November 2014, whilst serving as permanent secretary at the Ministry of Petroleum, instructed without approval from the Minister of Petroleum at the time, the purchase of three computers marked HP to the tune of $25,400.45, which he later stole and took to his home in Senegambia.

Count two stated that Muntaga Sallah, sometime in November 2014, whilst serving as permanent secretary at the Ministry of Petroleum, stole three computers marked HP to the tune of $25,400.45 belonging to the Gambia government.

Count three stated that sometime in November 2014, Muntaga Sallah abused his functions as permanent secretary at the Ministry of Petroleum, when he instructed without approval from the minister of Petroleum at the time, the purchase of three computers marked HP to the tune of $25,400. 45, which he later stole and took to his home in Senegambia.