Badjie, accused of intentionally failing to pursue the recovery of D1,134,000 stolen by Mr Faisal Bojang who was working under him at the Gambian embassy in Paris, yesterday appeared at the high court two weeks after he was remanded at Mile 2 central prison by the Banjul Magistrates Court. However, the newly-sworn judge, Simon Abi, said he will not entertain any oral submission when lawyer Lamin Camara attempted to move his application.
He asked the lawyer and the chief prosecutor, Hadi Saleh Barkun to file their briefs of arguments before adjourning the case to December 10 for ruling. “I cannot write for 45 minutes,” Justice Abi said when Camara said he needed 45 minutes to make his submission.
The affidavit of support for Mr Badjie to be released on bail stated that the applicant is a father of four children and has never had a “problem” with the law. “The applicant has served the government for many years as an outstanding citizen with dignity and integrity. The investigation into this matter has since concluded and the applicant will not interfere with witnesses if released on bail. The applicant will in no way jump bail and will at all times present himself to this court for trial. Unless this court orders the applicant’s release, he will continue to languish in detention until the end of the trial. It is in the interest of justice that the application be granted,” Camara stated in his motion.
The state has also filed an affidavit opposing Mr Badjie’s bail request. It stated: “There is strong compelling prima facie evidence against the applicant. An investigation into other aspects of the applicant’s activities is still ongoing and other charges may likely be brought against the applicant. The applicant was one time Minister for the Interior, Minister of Works, Ambassador to Morocco and France. There is eminent fear that the applicant will interfere with the witnesses if released on bail. Considering the nature of the charge and gravity of the offence he is charged with, there is likelihood that the applicant will jump bail if his application is granted. It will be in the interest of justice to refuse the application,” the chief prosecutor said in his affidavit in opposition.
Mr Badjie was arraigned at the Banjul Magistrates Court on November 18 on two counts of economic crime and neglect of official duty. He denied the charged before he was remanded at Mile 2 prison. He is expected to appear to high court today to answer to the same charges.
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