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In fisheries officials’ case: State to file new bill of indictment

Jun 12, 2015, 11:06 AM | Article By: Halimatou Ceesay

The Director of Public Prosecutions, S.H. Barkun, yesterday requested for two weeks from the court to file new bill of indictment in the case of nine fisheries officials, before Justice Abi of the Banjul High court.

The accused persons are Amadou Saine, Nfarama Dampha, former director of fisheries, Famara Darboe, Dr Demba Banja (then permanent secretary), Kebba Konjira, Joseph Gabidon, Musa Jawla, Abdoulie Njie and Momodou Njie.

They were earlier indicted on an eleven-count charge ranging from multiple counts of neglect of official duty, to economic crime and abuse of office at the Banjul Magistrates’ Court.

When the case was called, DPP Barkun informed the court that the case was set for mention.

He said that on the last adjourned date, he made it known to the court they would file a new bill of indictment to indict some of the accused persons but due to some developments from the ongoing investigations, they are requesting for two weeks to enable them file the new bill of indictment.

However, the defence team did not object to the application.

All the accused persons were present in court.

The case continues on 25 June 2015, at 10 a.m. for mention and plea-taking.

It would be recalled that during the last sitting DPP informed the court that in the new bill of indictment they were going to charge three out of the nine accused persons.