The
Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) S.H. Barkun, yesterday informed a crowded
courtroom, presided over by Justice O. Ottaba of the Special Criminal Court,
that the state has filed a bill of indictment against GNPC officials, which is
awaiting the Chief Justice’s blessing.
Sira
Wally Ndow-Njie, Momodou O.S. Badjie, Nuha Touray, Edrissa Mass Jobe, Cherno
Marena, Momodou Taal, Fafa Sanyang, Muntaga Momodou Sallah, Seedy Kanyi and
Louie Moses Mendy were earlier charged with economic crime before the Banjul
Magistrates’ Court.
When
the case was called, DPP S.H. Barkun appeared for the state, whilst the accused
persons were represented by Counsel Ida Drammeh, M.A. Samba, S. Taal, R.Y.
Mendy, A.S. Sabally, Y. Senghore, E. Sanneh, E. Gomez and L. Farage.
The
DPP then informed the court that the matter was set for mention, and they were
directed to file a bill of indictment on or before 22 September 2016, after
receiving the case file from the office of the Inspector General of Police.
He said at the moment the charge was being
filed at the registry of the high court.
“My
lord, I want to ask for a 5-minute stand down, but even after I file it I could
not bring it to the court without it being directed to the Chief Justice. In
view of that we crave the indulgence of the court for an adjournment, so that
it can be directed to the Chief Justice for his blessing and re-assignment,” he
said.
Senior
counsel Drammeh objected to adjourning the matter up to October, on the grounds
that some of the accused persons have been in custody for three months and
asked for the matter to be adjourned until next week.
Senior
counsel A.S. Sabally said if the bill of indictment should be taken to the
Chief Justice for re-assignment, why are they taking an adjourned date -
because if the bill of indictment is awaiting re-assignment, then “there is no
case before the court”.
The
trial Judge said they would take a date, and see what happens.
The
case was then adjourned until 28 September 2016, at 1pm for mention.
