US based Gambian asked to pay D100, 000 or risk two years in prison

The high court in Banjul yesterday asked one Ebrima Loppy, a Gambian based in the United States of America, to either pay a fine of D100, 000 in default to serve two years in prison.

Loppy was convicted by the lower court in Banjul on false information charges, and has appealed against the two-year mandatory jail term.

The development followed a judgment delivered by Justice Emmanuel Amadi on the appeal filed by Loppy against his conviction by the lower court.

Justice Amadi after going through the evidence and records of proceedings from the lower court fined the appellant D100, 000 or in default to serve two years in prison.

Loppy was first arraigned at the Banjul Magistrates’ Court, where the charges against him were later withdrawn.

However, he was re-arraigned on charges of giving false information to a public officer, and attempting to commit a felony.

Loppy denied the charges, and was granted bail of D5,000 by the lower court, which subsequently found him guilty of giving false information.

Prosecutors accused Loppy of giving false information to the deputy permanent secretary at the Office of the President, Ramatoulie Cole-Ceesay.

Loppy allegedly told the DPS that, according to a report of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), The Gambia government was poor in loan servicing and lacks credibility.

Prosecutors also stated on count two that Loppy, with intent to defraud, explained a project proposal of eight million United States dollars to the Government of the Gambia through Ramatoulie Cole-Ceesay, which he knew to be false.