The Banjul Magistrates' Court presided over by acting principal Magistrate Taiwo Alagba yesterday discharged Mr William John Joof, former Gambian Ambassador to France and Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who was facing trial.
The former Gambian diplomat was facing charges of official corruption, obtaining goods by false pretence, stealing, and conspiracy to commit a felony, goods used, and abuse of office.
This development followed a nolle prosequi filed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Makilou Abdoulihi, to discontinue the case.
The trial magistrate in his ruling stated that following the application filed by the DPP, and considering the powers vested in him under section 85 of the country’s Constitution, and section 64 of the CPC, the court hereby discharged the accused person forthwith.