Major Crime SO continues testimony in Ex-SG Njogu Bah and Co trial

ASP Lamin Cham, station officer at the major crimes unit of the Gambia police force, yesterday continued his testimony in the trial involving former Justicw Minister Lamin AMS Jobarteh, former Solicitor General Pa Harry Jammeh, and the former Secretary General and Head of Civil Service, Dr Njogu L. Bah.

The three are being tried on a three-count charge which included conspiracy to carry out a lawful purpose by an unlawful means, giving false information to a public officer, and abuse of office, at the Special Criminal Court in Banjul before Justice Emmanuel Nkea.

Continuing his testimony, ASP Cham told the court that during the course of the investigation, they recovered a letter from the Office of the President signed by Dr Njogu Bah, and another letter written by Pa Harry Jammeh.

He revealed that a letter of invitation to the Judicial Service Commission, the minutes of the meeting of the Judicial Service Commission, and the appointment letter of the former acting-Chief Justice Wowo were also recovered.

He stated that he could not remember whether the letter stated that Wowo was appointed at the Court of Appeal, or as acting-Chief Justice.

ASP Cham added that they also recovered a handing over note of Justice Wowo, and the letter authorising Wowo as Chief Justice in the absence of the former Chief Justice.

He told the court that the case file of the former acting-Chief Justice Wowo, was also recovered and a nolle prosecue was signed by the 1st accused, Jobarteh.

The witness identified the letter signed by Dr Njogu Bah, and another letter signed by the 2nd accused.

The state counsel at that juncture applied to tender them in evidence as exhibits, and they were admitted without any objection from the defence.

The state counsel then applied for an adjournment to enable the state recover their other documents sent for certification.

The case was adjourned to 9 September 2013, for continuation.

Lamin AMS Jobarteh, Pa Harry Jammeh, and Dr Njogu L. Bah, are accused on count one that, between January and February 2013, in the Banjul City Council, within the jurisdiction of the court, conspired among themselves to remove Justice Wowo, a sitting Judge of the Court of Appeal of The Gambia by an lawful means, to wit, orchestrating his arrest, detention and mock trial, and thereby committed an offence.

On Count two, Lamin AMS Jobarteh, Pa Harry Jammeh, and Dr Njogu L. Bah, are alleged that in January 2013, in the Banjul City Council, within the jurisdiction of the court, with intent to cause the termination of the service of Justice Wowo, fed John Belford (in his capacity as the Judicial Secretary of The Gambia) and the members of the Judicial Service Commission of The Gambia with information to the effect that his Excellency, the President of The Gambia had directed the termination of the appointment of Justice Wowo, knowing the information to be false and thereby committed an offence.

Lamin AMS Jobarteh, Pa Harry Jammeh, and Dr Njogu L. Bah, are further alleged on count three that between January and February 2013, in the Banjul City Council, within the jurisdiction of the court, whilst in their offices as the Attorney General and Minister of Justice of The Gambia, and Solicitor General of The Gambia, and Secretary General and Head of Civil Service of The Gambia, respectively, abused the authority of their respective offices, by arbitrarily causing the arrest detention, and termination of the appointment of Justice Wowo, and thereby committed an offence.