State Counsel Kanni Touray told the court that the witness, a National Intelligence Agency personnel was “unavailable”. She said they have other witnesses but the intelligence officer was the star witness and should testify as the state’s first witness. Defence lawyer, Kebba Sanyang, was not in court at the time of the adjournment.
Tahar Haouari was first arraigned on June 11 at the high court in Banjul on three counts of economic crime, conspiracy to commit felony and stealing. State prosecutors accused Mr Haouari with two others (now at large) of causing economic loss to the national telecommunications company (Gamtel) of D611,340.03 by installing a giant sim box which he used to divert international calls from Gamtel’s international gateway, an act detrimental to the economy of The Gambia.
He is also accused of obtaining D115, 677 from QCell Company by installing a sim box. However, he ‘pleaded not guilty’.
He was granted bail last week in the sum of one million dalasi in order to have a temporary release from state custody. However, he was escorted to court by prison wardens yesterday. He was later escorted back to the main central prison at Mile 2 on the outskirts of the capital.
By Binta A Bah
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