Setback in 14 Immigration Officers, Others Trial

The trial of 14 Immigration Officers attached at the Gambia International Airport, two other civilians and a Gambia Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) security officer yesterday suffered a set back before the Brikama Magistrates' Court presided over by Magistrate Fred Forster.

The case, which was expected to continue with the testimony of the first prosecution witness, one Cherno Bah of Bundung, was adjourned to the 25th August due to the absence of the state counsel Marley Wood.

At the last sittings of the case on 11th August, prosecution witness Cherno Bah made startling revelations before the Brikama Magistrates' Court.

He said that on 27th June while at NTC junction, he and the first accused Sarjo Sonko had a discussion for he (Sarjo) to facilitate the traveling of his younger brother, Ebrima Bah to Germany with a visa on a passport that's secured with Cherno's name and Ebrima's picture.

The eighteen accused persons, according to the charge sheet, on or about the 3rd July 2009, at the Gambia International Airport within the jurisdiction of the court, allegedly forged an international passport in order to dishonestly enable one Ebrima Bah, to travel to the United States of America, and thereby committed an offence.

In count two, they were alleged to have conspired to commit official corruption.

According to the charge sheet, the accused being public officers employed in the public services of the Gambia, charged with the duties of screening passengers traveling at the Airport, allegedly conspired among themselves and others still at large, to corruptly receive a bribery of ten thousand and five hundred Dalasi (D10, 500) from one Cherno Bah in order to enable his brother Ebrima Bah dishonestly use a forged passport to travel to U.S.A, and thereby committed an offence.

They were all granted bail in the sum of D80, 000 each.