The case involving Ousman Jatta, Amat Sowe, Momodou Mendy, Essa Jarjusey, Adama Beyai and Maimuna Bah, executive members of the Gambia Scout Association, failed to proceed on 11 November 2015, before Magistrate Kijera of the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court.
While the accused persons were waiting in the courtroom, the clerk called out their names and asked them to follow her into Magistrate Kijera’s chambers, which they did.
The prosecuting officer, Sergeant 3560 Colley, also joined them.
When the prosecutor came out, this reporter asked him what happened and he said the case has been adjourned.
Asked why it was adjourned, he said one of the defence counsel, Edward Singhateh, was sick, adding that Lawyer Mboge, who is also part of the defence team, was not available.
He said Lawyer Mboge did not write to the court as to why he was not present.
Sergeant Colley further stated that he had come with his witness for the commencement of the case, adding that due to the absence of the defence counsel, the case was adjourned until 23 November 2015, for hearing.
The accused persons were charged with conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretence and stealing a motor vehicle, allegations they denied.
Prosecutors alleged that the accused persons, within the years 2012 and 2014 at Bakoteh in the Kanifing Municipality, being executive members of Gambia Scout Association, conspired to collect over D700,000 from various non-scout members on the pretext of including them in trips to attend international jamborees in different parts of Europe.
The bill of indictment further stated that the accused persons on the same date and place, obtained D700,000 from various non-scout members on the pretext of including them in trips to attend international jamborees in different parts of Europe.
It was also alleged by prosecutors that Essa Jarjusey in the year 2015, at Bakoteh in the Kanifing Municipality, while serving as assistant secretary general of the Gambia Scout Association, stole a motor vehicle, mark Toyota with registration number KM 1907A, belonging to the Gambia Scout Association.
