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Waa Juwara gets six months in prison

Apr 19, 2016, 10:08 AM

Lamin Wa Juwara, former minister of Local Government and Lands, was yesterday sentenced to six months in prison at the Banjul Magistrate’ Court.

Mr Juwara was sentenced for only one out of eight counts, including negligence of duty.

Count one of the charge sheet indicated that Tamsir Onasis Conteh and Hamidou Jallow in November 2011, at Banjul, within the jurisdiction of the court, conspired to use forged documents to claim compensation in respect of Tanji Residential Layout.

Count two stated that Tamsir Onasis Conteh, in November 2011, in Banjul, within the jurisdiction of the court, made a document purportedly to be land title documents issued by the Alkalo of Tanji village in order to claim compensation in respect of plots acquired for Tanji Residential Layout.

Count three read that Tamsir Onasis Conteh, in November 2011, in Banjul, within the jurisdiction of the court, knowingly and fraudulently uttered false documents in order to claim compensation in respect of the plots acquired for Tanji Residential Layout.

Count four stated that Tamsir Onasis Conteh, in November 2011, in Banjul, within the jurisdiction of the court, with intent to defraud, obtained D300,000, from Edward T. Sambou as consideration of plot of land at Tanji Residential Layout with the knowledge that the said plots were allocated to him under questionable circumstances.

Count five disclosed that Hamidou Jallow, in November 2011, in Banjul, within the jurisdiction of the court, being employed in the public service and in his capacity as Principal Lands and Valuation Officer, caused plots of land (Nos.C8 and C9) to be allocated as compensation to Tamsir Onasis Conteh, with the knowledge that the said plots were already allocated to Kanilai Family Farms and Mr Basirou Sambou respectively, and with the knowledge that the said Tamsir Onasis Conteh was not qualified for any.

Count six stated that Hamidou Jallow, in November 2011, in Banjul, within the jurisdiction of the court, being employed in the public service and in his capacity as Principal Lands and Valuation Officer, caused plots of land (Nos C8 and (9) to be allocated as compensation to Tamsir Onasis Conteh as against the laid down procedure for the award of compensation. Count seven stated that Hamidou Jallow, in November 2011, in Banjul, within the jurisdiction of the court, being employed in the public service and his capacity as Principal Lands and Valuation Officer and in disobedience of the order of the director of lands, caused compensation to be paid to Tamsir Onasis Conteh.

Count eight stated that Lamin Waa Juwara, in November 2011, in Banjul, within the jurisdiction of the court, being an employee in the public service and in his capacity as Minister of Regional Administration, Lands and Traditional Rulers, by wilful negligent act, caused plots of land (Nos C8 and C9) to be allocated as compensation to Tamsir Onasis Conteh, with the knowledge that the said plots were already allocated to Kanilai Family Farms and Mr Basirou Sambou respectively, and with the knowledge that the said Tamsir Onasis Conteh was not qualified for any.

Juwara served as minister of Local Government and Lands from 2011 to 2012.