The theft charge against Mrs. Sukai Mbye Bojang, the Secretary General National Commission-UNESCO has been substituted with a charge of abuse of office.
When the case was called yesterday, the prosecuting officer applied under section 69 of Criminal Procedure Code (CPC) for the withdrawal of the charge of theft, and for its substitution with a charge of abuse of office.
The prosecuting officer, Inspector Keita, told the court that in view of the fact that the accused person was earlier arraigned on a holding charge of theft, whilst the prosecution was waiting for the written consent from Attorney General’s Chambers, the most appropriate charge the prosecution could come up with is the abuse of office.
The particulars of the offence stated that from the month of November 2001 to 2006, being employed as Secretary General UNESCO (NATCOM) Mrs. Bojang abused the authority of her office by failing to supervise and maintain the records of the payment vouchers and un-retired impress amounting to D173, 571.23.
She pleaded not guilty to the charge.
At that juncture the defence counsel, Mrs. I.D. Drammeh, applied for the court to order the prosecution to serve the defence with copies of all the witness statements, and the charge sheet.
The case was adjourned to 30th June 2010.