3 Gambians, Abdoulie Corr, Alasan Mbow and Babucarr Njie, were last Friday arraigned before Principal Magistrate Edrisa M’bai of the Banjul Magistrates Court, charged with 3 counts of criminal offences relating to conspiracy, attempting to acquire criminal charms and offering millions of dalasis for gun protection charms, all contrary to Section 365 of the Criminal Code Cap 10 Volume 3.

According to Count One, the accused persons together with their accomplices (now on the run), between the months of June and August 2008, in the city of Banjul and diverse places in The Gambia, attempted to acquire criminal charms for many factors, thereby committing an offence.

According to Count Two, the trio and their accomplices, between the months of June and August 2008, in the city of Banjul and diverse places in The Gambia offered to pay millions of dalasis for gun protection charms.

On Count 3, they are accused of conspiracy to acquire criminal charms.

All three pleaded not guilty.

An intelligence report read in the court revealed that the 1st accused person, Abdoulie Corr, some time in August this year, asked one Alasana Jallow, a Marabout from Sierra Leone, to make bullet proof charms for ten able-bodied men. The report added that he sent money to him (Alasana Jallow) to buy an air ticket to The Gambia.

The  intelligence  report further  revealed that the said Marabout arrived in The Gambia on the 5th of September, 2008, and was received at the Banjul International Airport by one Lamin Singhateh on behalf of the 1st accused person, who was said to have travelled to Dakar, Senegal, at the time. The report added that the marabout was later taken to the Bakadagi Hotel in Kololi, where he was lodged.

According to the report, the development was a worrisome for security operatives. Thus, the activities of the accused persons both within and outside the hotel were monitored.

At that juncture, Emmanuel Fagbenle, the director of Public Prosecution (DPP) applied for an adjournment to call in witnesses. His application was granted and the case was subsequently adjourned to Monday, October 20.

Magistrate Sainabou Wadda-Ceesay of the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court recently remanded in to custody Tamsir Jeng, Essa Clerk, Buba Jatta, Ebrima Jawneh, Matarr Sabally, Seedy Ndure and Alieu Badara Jallow.

The seven suspects face two counts of conspiracy to commit a felony and robbery.

On count one, the particulars of offence stated that on 2nd October 2008 at London Corner, Serekunda, the accused persons conspired to commit robbery.

On count two, the alleged offence stated that on 2nd October 2008 at London Corner, Serekunda, the accused persons jointly robbed one Karamba Saidy of his mobile phone valued at D2500, and D600 cash.

All the accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charge before they were remanded in custody until 21st October 2008.

Abdouraman Bah, coordinator of the James Junkung Jammeh Memorial Nursery School in Abuko, and the second accused person in the ongoing criminal offense of conspiracy to commit felony and theft case filed in by the state against Oley Sey and him, last Friday countered his co-accused during cross examination on the whereabouts of the D500,000 gift to the said nursery school by the Gambian leader, President Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh.

Abdouraman Bah subjected the ex-nominated member of the National Assembly to an extensive cross examination.

Mr Bah put it to Oley Sey that she told him that after the presentation ceremony of the D500,000, the two of them should go to State House tomeet the chief of protocol, ‘Alagie Ceesay, to collect 1000 bags of cements and some computers. The former NAM refuted this.

Abdourahman Bah further stated that he boarded Oley Sey’s vehicle with the D500,000 after the presentation ceremony to go to the State House. To this, Oley replied “Yes, you begged for a ride but I had no appointment with the chief of protocol on that day”.

Abdourahman Bah further stated that he boarded Oley Sey’s vehicle with the D500,000 after the presentation ceremony to go to the State House. To this, Oley replied “Yes, you begged for a ride but I had no appointment with the chief of protocol on that day”.

Abdourahman Bah then asked: “Are you not the one who called the chief of protocol?” To which Oley Sey replied “Yes, because you were out of credit”.

Bah then asked her if she was not the one who took him to her house after their futile efforts to see the chief of protocol and suggested that they should keep the money until the Majority leader, Fabakary Tombong Jatta, returned from South Africa.

Bah then asked her if she was not the one who took him to her house after their futile efforts to see the chief of protocol and suggested that they should keep the money until the Majority leader, Fabakary Tombong Jatta, returned from South Africa.

Oley Sey denied this saying she could not dictate to someone who was responsible for a school she had no hand in.

Oley Sey denied this saying she could not dictate to someone who was responsible for a school she had no hand in.

Mr Bah further said that he gave her D200,000 from the D500,000. Oley responded that she went with the D200,000 to the Department of State for Education, but it was recovered from her at the offices of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA). On why she did not present the money at the ministry, she said “nobody asked for it”.

Mr Bah further said that he gave her D200,000 from the D500,000. Oley responded that she went with the D200,000 to the Department of State for Education, but it was recovered from her at the offices of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA). On why she did not present the money at the ministry, she said “nobody asked for it”.

He added “did you not say that the weekend after the presentation, you will go to Kanilai to facilitate the collection of the 1000 bags of cements and computers?” Oley replied in the negative and also denied ever being confronted by either the mayor of KMC or the community of Abuko on the whereabouts of the D500,000.

He added “did you not say that the weekend after the presentation, you will go to Kanilai to facilitate the collection of the 1000 bags of cements and computers?” Oley replied in the negative and also denied ever being confronted by either the mayor of KMC or the community of Abuko on the whereabouts of the D500,000.

The ex-NAM further denied ever making proposals to raise funds for the James Junkung Jammeh Memorial Nursery School by writing donation letters to institutions.

The ex-NAM further denied ever making proposals to raise funds for the James Junkung Jammeh Memorial Nursery School by writing donation letters to institutions.

At the end of the marathon cross examination, Lamin Camara, counsel for Oley Sey, informed the court of his intention to summon the director general (DG) of the Gambia Radio and Television Services (GRTS) to produce the tape recording of the presentation of the gift as well as the reporter who covered the said ceremony.

At the end of the marathon cross examination, Lamin Camara, counsel for Oley Sey, informed the court of his intention to summon the director general (DG) of the Gambia Radio and Television Services (GRTS) to produce the tape recording of the presentation of the gift as well as the reporter who covered the said ceremony.

‘My lord, my application is pursuant to the constitution of the Republic, the Evidence Act, the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC) and other legal authorities as well as decided cases both in and outside The Gambia; cases such as the 2006/2007 State versus Bunja Darboeand co-accused court martial, the 2006/2007 treason trial of Tamsir Jassey and co, the Sheriff Minteh murder trial, where the Daily Observer reporter was summoned to give testimony, among other cases,” he said.

‘My lord, my application is pursuant to the constitution of the Republic, the Evidence Act, the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC) and other legal authorities as well as decided cases both in and outside The Gambia; cases such as the 2006/2007 State versus Bunja Darboeand co-accused court martial, the 2006/2007 treason trial of Tamsir Jassey and co, the Sheriff Minteh murder trial, where the Daily Observer reporter was summoned to give testimony, among other cases,” he said.

However, the police prosecutor, Inspector Keita, vowed to raise objections to the defence application, saying “my lord, I will strongly object to the defence application come the next adjourned date, 16th October, 2008”.

However, the police prosecutor, Inspector Keita, vowed to raise objections to the defence application, saying “my lord, I will strongly object to the defence application come the next adjourned date, 16th October, 2008”.

The duo were arraigned last Thursday before Principal Magistrate Idrissa Mbye at the Brikama Magistrates’ Court on a charge of being in possession of 9kg, 260g of suspected drug for the purpose of trafficking and conspiracy.

Count one states that on or about 13thSeptember 2008 at Sololo village in CRR the accused persons were allegedly found in possession of 9kg, 260g of suspected prohibited drug.

Count two states that on 10thSeptember 2008 at Brusubi in Kombo North, Western Region, the duo conspired to transport 9kg, 260g of suspected prohibited drug from the Brusubi area.

However when the charge sheets were read to them, they denied the charges.

Defence Counsel Amie Joof-Conteh made an application for the court to order the State Prosecutors to supply the defence with all the information necessary in the case to enable the defence to get prepared.

The application was granted and the court ordered the State prosecutors to make available to the defence all the information necessary for the case before the next adjourned date – today (Tuesday, 14 October 2008).

Magistrate Lamin George of the Banjul Magistrates Court, yesterday, gave orders for the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) to produce the ‘cautionary statement’ of Oley Sey, ex-nominated member of the National Assembly. Oley Sey is facing charges of conspiracy to commit felony and stealing with her co-accused person, Abdouraman Bah, coordinator of the James Junkung Jammeh Nursery School in Abuko.

The magistrate’s decision followed submissions and counter-submissions made by both the defence counsel, Lamin Camara, and the prosecution officer, Inspector Keita.

Magistrate Lamin George ruled that given the present circumstances, and in the interest of justice and fair play, the Authority of National Intelligence Agency should produce the cautionary statement made by Oley Sey on 7th August 2008. He ordered the NIA  to produce the said statement on the next adjourned date, 8th October 2008.

It could be recalled that Oley Sey, in her evidence in chief during the last  session, had informed the court that she had written a statement on 7th August, 2008, at the NIA  Headquarters, which was summarised by an officer who obtained a cautionary statement from her. The defence counsel had applied for the prosecution to produce the said statement in order to tender it, but the prosecution officer had denied the existence of such a statement.

The Bundung Magistrates Court presided over by Senior Magistrate Kumba Sillah-Camara has called on the state to provide legal assistance to the alleged Brusubi murderers.

She made these statement while presiding over the case on Monday.

Magistrate Kumba Sillah-Camara cited section 24 of the 1997 constitution.

Magistrate Sillah-Camara also adjourned the case to October 8th. The accused were sent back to the State Central Prison.

Makodou Jahateh, Alieu Saine and Sheikh Taib Jagne are facing three charges of murder, conspiracy to commit felony and robbery with violence.

Muhammed Jagana and Assan Njie were on Wednesday arraigned before Principal Magistrate Buba Jawo of the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court, charged with issuing false cheques, obtaining goods by false pretence and conspiracy to commit a felony.

In count one, the particulars of the offence stated that the 1st accused, Muhammed Jagana, in the month of June 2008 issued two Arab Gambia Islamic Bank (AGIB) false cheques with the face value of D800,000 and D400,000 to Amadou Samba knowing it to be false.

In count two, the offence revealed that the 1st accused, Muhammed Jagana, in the month of June 2008 issued one AGIB false cheque with the face value of D900,000 to Amadou Samba, knowing it to be false.

In count three, the particulars of the offence showed that in the month of June 2008 the 1st accused issued one AGIB false cheque with the face value of D1m to Amadou Samba, knowing it to be false.

In count four, the particulars of the offence read that the 1st accused, in the month of June 2008 took 14,105 bags of cement from Gacem and issued AGIB false cheque with the face value of D3m when he knew he had no money in the account.

The particulars of the offence for count five stated that the 2nd accused, Assan Njie, while employed by Gacem, conspired with 1st accused and issued three false cheques with the face value of D2,151,300 being the cost of 9,561 bags of cement when he had no authority to receive the cheques on behalf of his boss.

The case was at that point adjourned to a later date for continuation.

Charles Lawson and Modou Jeng will be tried by a magistrates’ court on conspiracy and forgery charges.

Charles and Modou were earlier last week brought to Bundung Magistrates’ Court to answer charges of dealing in falsified banknotes.

Court records have revealed that the two men had, in December of last year, combined forces to put into circulation forged banknotes amounting to D3,000. The duo was alleged to have used the fund to buy items from one Janko Kebbeh in Dippa Kunda.

They insisted on not being guilty of any crime and will return to court on 18 June 2008, for the beginning of their trial. Each was remanded on D40,000 bail as their case, which will be presided over by Magistrate Kumba Sillah-Camara, continues.

Two youngsters were last Monday sent to a remand centre after being charged with conspiracy and theft.

Lamin Manneh and Buba Sowe appeared before magistrate John Njie of the Brikama Magistrates’ Court for conspiring to commit a felony.

One of the boys will now go on trial after pleading ‘not guilty’ to charges of conspiring to steal two sets of bed, three tables and four benches. The pieces of furniture, allegedly stolen from the Kafuta forest park in 2007, were valued at D8,000.

When the charge sheet was read out to Lamin and Buba, Lamin refuted the accusation whilst Buba admitted guilt.

The matter was at that juncture stood down for the conviction of Buba as well as the beginning of Lamin’s trial.

Charles Lawson, Ebrima Danso, Amadou Ouatara, Janko Kebbeh, Modou Jeng and Abdou Kudus were charged with 16 counts of purchasing false banknotes, conspiracy to commit a felony and possession of falsified banknotes.

Two of the accused persons have pleaded guilty to the charges whilst the rest pleaded not.The case resumes 28 April 2008.