Buba Sanyany was arraigned before Principal Magistrate Hilary Abeke of the Banjul Magistrates’ Court and charged with abuse of office.
When the case was called, the police prosecutor, ASP Lamin Badjie, told the court that the prosecution was applying for an adjournment, as the case was transferred to the office of the Attorney General’s Chambers for possible prosecution.
State counsel K. Tom rose and said that as indicated by the police prosecutor, the matter was now being taken over by the AG’s Chambers for diligent prosecution.
“We are ready to proceed with the hearing date at the convenience of the court,” he said, adding that the consent from the AG’s Chambers was forwarded to the court through their clerk, who was supposed to file on the same day before the court.
He added that if it was not yet before the court, then they would ask for an adjournment to confirm it.
The case was then adjourned to 5 December 2013, for hearing.
Ex-Director General Buba Sanyang alias “Zil” was alleged to have on 28 October 2013, at the immigration headquarters in the city of Banjul and diverse place, abused the authority of his office as the director general of the Gambia Immigration Department, by issuing an entry clearance to Ali Chahin, a Syrian national, and Hussein Abs, a Lebanese national, without following the appropriate immigration procedures, and thereby committed an offence.
Hedenied the charge, and was subsequently granted court bail of D5 million with a Gambian surety who must have landed property within the Greater Banjul Area.
The surety should also deposit his or her national identity card with the registrar of the court for reference.
