It could be recalled that Dr Banja was on 8th March 2023 convicted for economic crimes and asked to pay a fine of one million dalasis (D1,000,000) and also serve a 2-year jail term by High Court Judge Justice Ademola Bakre.
Dr Banja was found guilty of “economic crimes, official corruption and public officer showing favour”. Justice Bakre said at the time that the prosecution had proved the case beyond reasonable doubt against Dr Banja.
Lawyer J. Sambou for Dr Banja informed the court that his client is a father of 5 and has an extended family that depends on him. The lawyer further submitted that Dr Banja is a first-time offender and had served the country for 42 years.
The prosecution of Dr Banja came about after he received money from the proprietors of Golden Lead Company Limited to free their vessels which were engaged in illicit fishing from detention, by which his action was detrimental to the economy and the welfare of the people of The Gambia. The court also found him guilty of engaging in corruption practices by receiving money from the proprietors of Golden Lead to free their vessels that were in detention.
He was found guilty of receiving money from the proprietors of Golden Lead Company Limited (GLCL) to show favour towards them on the outcome of their detained fishing vessel.
Other pardoned prisoners are Pap Ibrahim Khalilulaye Thiam, Nfamara Saidykhan, Alpha Jallow, Yankuba Njie, Yaya Mballow, Ousman Baldeh, Momodou Camara, Ousman Jallow, Musa Bajaha, Sarjo Camara, Sering Sarr, Modou Saho, Abdourahman Jallow, Ebrima Jallow, Kebba Bah, Mamadou Camara, Salieu Bah, Pa Modou Ngum, Muhammed Conteh, Abdoulie Jallow, Samba Dibba, Hamadi Kandeh, Sako Njie, Alieu Bittaye, Balla Bah, Baduwa Konteh, Demba Kandeh, Momodou Bah (alias Momodou Sanneh), Saiba Sillah, Demba Camara, Jogoban Jallow, Alagie Modou Jallow, Njoku Faye, Kaddijatou Ceesay, Adama Bah and Anna Sanneh.
