Former
Petroleum Minister Sira Wally Ndow-Njie, charged with nine other GNPC officials
with Economic Crime, yesterday filed another bail application before the
vacation judge, Justice Ogar Edward Eneji, at the Banjul High Court.
When
the case was called, Lawyer Mary A. Samba and Y.H. Cox holding briefs for
senior counsel I.D. Drammeh appeared for Sira Wally Ndow-Njie. State counsel A.
Mendy and A. Yakubu announced their representation for the state.
At
this juncture, defence lawyer Samba informed the court that they had filed
originating summons before the court dated 1 August 2016, and that the case was
set for hearing and with the permission of the court they would like to
proceed.
However,
state counsel A. Mendy argued that they were served with the originating
summons in the morning in court, and requested for 48 hours to reply to the
content of the originating summons.
“My
client has been in Mile 2 Central Prisons for 44 days now. She has a serious
medical condition and is urgent; that is why we filed the bail application
since 1 August 2016. I would like to urge the court for a speedy hearing. She
was charged with others who were granted bail, and we are anxious that the case
be heard,” counsel Samba said.
Responding,
state counsel Mendy said, “we were served this morning and, as such, we cannot
reply to it today”, insisting that they needed 48 hours to reply.
At
this juncture, Justice Eneji adjourned the case until 11 August 2016 at 12
noon, for hearing of the bail application.
It
would be recalled that Justice O. Ottaba of the Special Criminal Court, on 1
August 2016, denied Sira Wally Ndow, Nuha Touray and Momodou O.S. Badjie bail
on the grounds that the application “lacks merit”.
However,
Justice O. Ottaba granted bail to seven officials of GNPC who are jointly
charged with Sira Wally Ndow-Njie, after the state said they did not intend to
oppose their bail application.
Those
granted bail were Edrissa Mass Jobe, former Solicitor General Cherno Marena,
former Petroleum Permanent Secretary Muntaga Momodou Sallah, Louie Moses Mendy,
Seedy Kanyi, former Petroleum Permanent Secretary Fafa Sanyang, and Momodou
Taal.
