“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

Gambia’s Supreme Court Upheld Ex-CDS Tamba & Co’s Death Sentence

 


 

The treason convicts condemned to death on Friday, 19 have their death sentence appeal rejected by the Supreme Court of the Gambia, the country’s highest court of law.

Former Army defense chief, Lang Tombong Tamba, ex-deputy defense chief Omar Bun Mbye, ex-intelligence chief Lamin BO Badjie, ex-deputy police chief Modou Gaye, ex-senior military officer Kawsu Camara alias Bombardier, ex-Gambian diplomat Gibril Ngorr Seck and a business tycoon Abdoulie Joof, alias Lie Joof were convicted and sentenced to death by Justice Amadi in June 2010 despite denying allegations of attempting to overthrow Gambian government in 2009.

TAKE ACTION: Drop Charges against two journalists, MFWA Demands

Journalist Ceesay and Saidykhan

The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) is utterly dismayed at the sluggish attitude of the Gambian police service in handling the case of the two journalists who are facing criminal charges in Gambia.

The MFWA calls on all Gambians living in the Diaspora, individuals and all organisations to condemn the situation and call on the authorities to drop the charges immediately.

Two Civilians Connected to 2006 Attempted Coup Arraigned

Njie and Lowe sitting in the gallery

After spending five years in remand at Gambia’s central prison where news and rumours of death of in-mates are nowadays coming-out thick and fast, the two civilians allegedly connected to the alleged 2006 coup attempt in Gambia were arraigned at the Special Criminal Court on Tuesday.

Gambia’s fugitive ex-defence chief Ndure Cham, who is said to have masterminded the alleged 2006 military coup attempt is still at large, but about five top army officers allegedly connected to the aborted coup have been sentenced to life imprisonment.

However, about five others including former intelligence chief, Daba Marenah have allegedly ‘escaped’ under mysterious circumstances while they were being transferred to provincial Janjanbureh prison.

Former defence chief Lang Tombong Tamba, who was Ndure Cham’s deputy and navy chief Sarjo Fofataa were recently sentenced to life imprisonment for concealment of treason even though they had pleaded not guilty. They have however appealed against their conviction.

Facing trial now over this saga that allegedly occurred while president Jammeh was on a trip abroad, is Mr Ablie Njie and Alieu Lowe.

Both attired in light-blue kaftan, Mr Ablie Njie and Alieu Lowe, who were working at the Gambia’s defence headquarters, are charged with treason related offences.

‘NIA Officers Tortured My Men’

fired NDEA Chief Bun Sanneh

Ebrima Bun Sanneh, former executive director of National Drug Enforcement Agency has told the Special Criminal Division of the High Court in Banjul that National Intelligence officers have tortured his men, anti drug officers for obstructing what was infact in their domain (drug).
“Lamin Kabou, who managed to escape was screaming when he rushed into my office naked, blood all over his body with wounds,” Bun Sanneh told the court yesterday as he defends against multiple charges levied against him.
He is standing trial alongside four former top anti-narcotic officials, Karamo Bojang, his deputy, Ousman Sanneh, operations commander, Seedy  Bojang and Marie Sanneh the only female are facing 30 counts of corruption and drug related charges at high court in Banjul. They all pleaded not guilty.
“They (NIA) were about to kill me” Bun heard Lamin said while on the floor..
He added: “I called Lamin Bo Badjie, then Director General of NIA and informed him, but he hang up the phone.
“After some minutes, Alhajie Morr Jobe and Ebrima Drammeh, all intelligence officers forcefully entered my office. My commander wanted to arrest them, but I intervened.”
Bun further told the court that Alhaji Morr Jobe told him that he was after his prisoner, Lamin Kabou who was still lying on the floor.

Bun Sanneh: 'Mmang Fa Folodeh' - I’m Not Dead Yet

Bun Sanneh

Saddened and depressed, Mrs Mariama Sanneh's face bore hardness at the sight of her embattled husband put in chains and shackles at the High Court in Banjul yesterday, but she was able to put up a wry smile 
Her husband, Ebrima Bun Sanneh, former chief of The Gambia’s anti drug agency was wildly rumored dead on Monday.
Facing trial for multiple crimes which he denied, Mr Sanneh alongside four of his former senior colleagues is being remanded at Gambia’s Central Prison pending the outcome of their high profile trial.
The former NDEA chief was in a prison where information rarely leaks in or out, but he has apparently heard of the rumour of his death, which came the day the body of former majority leader of parliament, Baba Jobe, who had been kept at the same prison, was released for burial.
“Mmang faa folodeh,” - (I am not dead yet) the embattled anti-drug chief told his wife when he emerged from the courtroom at the end of the day’s proceedings, which saw him defending his guiltless claims against allegations of corruption, drugs among others.
Mariama could not help it, but smiled at her husband’s teasing remarks even though he was to be whisked away to the same place where two people have so far came out dead in a period of around two weeks.
Details of the court proceedings will be published Friday.

Witness: I Gave Money to King Colley

 

King Colley

Prime state witness against a senior police officer, Lamin King Kolley and co said, he has given money to Lamin King Kolley to process insurance and road tax for two vehicles for him.
Lamin King Colley, Ousman Manjang and Abdou William are charged with two counts: conspiracy and economic crime for allegedly making false declaration of license and road tax.
According to state prosecutor, Ebrima Jaiteh investigations into the allegations revealed that the senior police officer and the two men were involved in a D3 million scam.
They however denied the allegations when arraigned at Special Criminal Court on Wednesday.
“I paid over 16, 000.00 dalasi for the road tax and license for the two vehicles directly to Lamin King Colley,” Mr Omar Sallah, an insurance agent has testified.
The case resumes Nov. 3 2011.