US-Based Gambian arraigned again

Ebrima Loppy, a Gambian based in the United States of America, was Monday re-arraigned at the Banjul Magistrates' Court on a two-count indictment.

Police prosecutors earlier withdrew the charges against Mr Loppy, but he was subsequently re-arraigned on charges of giving false information to a public officer and attempting to commit a felony.

Mr Loppy, who denied the charges in a crowded courtroom, was granted bail in the sum of D5,000 with two Gambian sureties in like amount.

Police prosecutors on count one claimed that the accused person, Ebrima Loppy, gave false information to the Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Office of the President, Mrs Ramatoulie Cole-Ceesay, that according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) report, the Gambia government is poor in loan servicing and lacks credibility.

The second indictment reads that the accused in the city of Banjul with intent to defraud, explained a project proposal of eight (8) million United States dollars to the government of the Gambia through Ramatoulie Cole-Ceesay.

Sub-Inspector Camara told the presiding magistrate, shortly after the accused took his plea, that he is applying for an adjournment to enable the prosecution call its first witness to testify.

Defence counsel PC Secka, who represents the accused person, did not object to the prosecution's application for an adjournment.

Magistrate Hilary U. Abeke subsequently adjourned the case to 22 September 2010 for hearing.