Dr Bah is on trial for abuse of office by appointing Ms Jainaba Jobarteh as The Gambia’s representative to the United Nations in New York, without following due procedures. He denies any wrong doing.
When the case resumed yesterday before magistrate Dawda Jallow for continuation of his defence, neither the state prosecutor, Abdurrahman Bah, DPP SH Barkun, nor the defence lawyer Lamin Mboge were in court prompting the magistrate to adjourn the matter to 21st January.
The prosecution tendered a host of exhibits and witnesses including Yusupha Dibba, the then permanent secretary at Foreign Affairs before his redeployment to the Ministry of Defence as permanent secretary as well as Dawda Fadera the permanent secretary, Personnel Management Office. Upon closure of the prosecution’s case, counsel for Dr Bah, lawyer Mboge filed a ‘no case-submission’ urging the court to discharge Dr Bah. Mboge argued that the prosecution failed to establish the necessary ingredients of the offence charged for which their case deserved to be quashed. He further contended that the consent of the attorney general was not sought for the prosecution of his client, while urging the court to acquit and discharge Dr Bah. In his judgment on the application, magistrate Dawda Jallow dismissed his prayers and ordered Dr Bah to enter his defence.
In his defence, Dr Bah who also served as the presidential affairs minister recalled his return to The Gambia from the United States, his appointment as the secretary general and head of civil service as well as the process leading to the appointment of Ms Jainaba Jobarteh to the United Nations. He also explained to the court his educational backgrounds and the various positions he held. Dr Bah further explained to the court the procedures governing employment, movement, dismissal and redeployment in the civil service. Hearing resumes January 21 for continuation of defence.
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