Ex-Chief Justice Yet to See a Doctor, Trial Commence

ExChief Justice Wowo

Ex-chief Justice of the Gambia has told the Special Criminal Division that he is yet to see a doctor as ordered by the same court on Monday.

Wowo who is standing trial together with the former justice minister, Lamin Jobarteh said he was not taken to the hospital.

A prison officer however, told the court that he’s just received the ordered when the judge inquired.

Wowo who is yet to get a Gambian who can bail him with a landed property is standing trial on 13 counts of abuse of office, frauds and breaches of trust, conspiracy to defeat justice, offences relating to judicial proceedings, giving false information to a public officer and assumption of authority.

While Jobarteh is only charge with two counts: conspiracy to defeat justice, offences relating to judicial proceedings

The two are said to have succumb to negotiation over a pending case before the court of appeal which act was an interference with the due executions of legal proceedings before the court of appeal.

Charges they strongly denied.

Meanwhile a police officer attached to the major crime unit has testified as the state first witness. Jawo Keita who was part of the panel said he obtained the cautionary statement from first accused (Wowo) in connection of the allegation made against him.

Suspect in Custody for Two Years without Trial,Judge says it’s Unfair

 

justice Nkea

Two years on Musa Faal is still in custody without trial since the case  file was transferred to the High Court from the Banjul Magistrates’ Court.

And when the case came up yesterday, Justice Nkea wanted to discharge the accused but the prosecution pleaded to be given one week to file proper charges.

“The counsel assign for the case is out the jurisdiction but I’m urging you to give us one week and we will file a charge” O Danso said.

“It is not fair,” Nkea said, “this man has been in mile two for more than a year and he’s not guilty yet.”

Interpol Officer Testifies As Hearing Begin in Dr. Njogu & Co. Trial

Njogu Bah

Police officer attached to the Interpol unit of the Gambia police force yesterday told the High Court in Banjul that he obtained both cautionary and voluntary statements from the first accused, Lamin Jobarteh, former justice minister.

However, Musa said he did not grant the accused request to meet his lawyer before taking the cautionary statements during cross examination with layer Lamin S Camara.

“I did not because I was not entitled to do so” Jarju told the packed courtroom. “I was not the head of the investigation panel.”

Jarju was testifying in the case of Dr Njogu Bah Secretary General and Head of the Civil Service and also minister of Presidential affairs Bah, Lamin Jobarteh minister for justice while Pa Harry Jammeh, Solicitor General and Legal Secretary.

Dr Njogu Bah, ex-Justice minister Jobarteh, Ex Solicitor General Jammeh Plead Not Guilty

Dr Njogu Bah, Lamin A.M.S Jobarteh and Pa Harry on Monday 19, denied allegations of giving false information, abuse of office and conspiracy to carry out a lawful purpose by unlawful means

Dr Njogu Bah was the Secretary General and Head of the Civil Service and also minister of Presidential affairs Bah, Lamin Jobarteh was the minister for justice while Pa Harry Jammeh was the Solicitor General and Legal Secretary.

They are now on trial at the High Court in Banjul before Justice Emmanuel Nkea after the state file proper charges against them on Monday, 19 August 2013.

When the charges were read out to them, one by one, they all pleaded not guilty of the three counts of giving false information to a public servant, abuse of office and conspiracy to carry out a lawful purpose by unlawful means.

They are accused of conspiring among themselves to remove justice Wowo by an unlawful means-to-wit: orchestrating his arrest, detention and mock trial.

“I have no Gambian who can bail me with a landed property within the greater Banjul Area”. Ex-Chief Justice

Even though he was released on bail last Wednesday, Ex- chief justice Joseph Wowo was still under custody when he appeared at the High Court yesterday.

Joseph Wowo who was slammed with multiple charges alongside former justice minister Lamin A.M.S Jobarteh on Monday 19, told Justice Emmanuel Nkea that he couldn’t fulfill the bail condition adding that he’s not in good health condition.

He was released on bail to an amount  of  D,1 000, 000,00(one million dalasi) and two Gambian sureties by the same judge last week.

“I’m very sick” Wowo said. When the judge asked why he was still under custody, he replied that he has no Gambian who can bail him with a landed property within the greater Banjul area.

Meanwhile Wowo has pleaded not guilty to 13 counts of abuse of office, frauds and breaches of trust, conspiracy to defeat justice, offences relating to judicial proceedings, giving false information to a public officer and assumption of authority.

Jobarteh on the other is only charge with two counts: conspiracy to defeat justice, offences relating to judicial proceedings