Dr Bah who is being tried by the state on a charge of abuse of office for appointing Ms Jainaba Jobarteh as The Gambia’s representative to the United Nations without due procedures made this revelation during cross-examination by the state prosecutor, Mansouri Jobe.
“I have earlier indicated in my evidence that when I came to The Gambia in 2005, Mr Dibba was my first point of contact. I found Mr Dibba in the system and he could have more experience in the civil service because of the number of years he served in the system. But I don’t think he has more experienced in managing the affairs of civil service. Rather it has to be based on what type of job experience,” he said.
When the state prosecutor put to him that the renewal of Mr Dibba’s contract was based on dedication and experience and he [Njogu Bah] was not left out of the loop as the secretary general and head of civil service when the decision was taken by the executive, Dr Bah retorted: “When I met Mr Dibba in the system at that time I knew that he was a dedicated and committed civil servant and well-experienced and I have said that in my evidence. I only knew that his contract had been renewed on two or more occasions and, in general, the renewal of contract is based on commitment and dedication. But I was not responsible for the renewal of Dibba’s contract so I could not know the reasons behind the renewal of his contract.”
At this juncture, the state prosecutor advanced: “Dr Bah, I put it to you that in the renewal of Mr Dibba’s contract, as the then secretary general and head of civil service, you were not left in isolation?”
Dr Bah then recalled: “I could probably remember once when Mr Dibba’s contract was renewed during my tenure as the secretary general and head of civil service. But recommendations do come from Personnel Management Office to my office and I pass it to executive for final decision. I believed that the final decision was taken by the executive that resulted in the renewal of Mr Dibba’s contract.”
Dr Bah however maintained that he could not justify whether Dibba’s contract was renewed independently by the executive without due consultation of his office. The duty of his office, he said, was to forward all minutes to the executive for final decision.
Defence attorney, Lamin Mboge, then appealed to the court for adjournment citing engagements in another court. The case resumes March 5 for continuation of cross-examination.
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