The accused person Pa Saibo Beyai and Lamin MS Jobe are facing four counts ranging from economic crime, abuse of office and neglect of official duty.
According to the bill of indictment furnished to the court by police prosecutor Bobo Jarju, count one of the bill revealed that Pa Saibo Beyai authorised the distribution of 2000 bags of fertilizer [NPK & Urea] which was equivalent to D2, 260,000 to one Alagie Kebbeh while failing to inform his coordinator, Lamin MS Jobe.
Count two stated that Mr Beyai by virtue of his position as accountant of the said programme neglected his duty by failing to follow the proper procedures as stipulated in the project implementation manual by giving out a loan of 2000 bags of fertilizer{NPK & Urea} worth D2,260,000.00 to one Alagie Kebbeh.
On count three, prosecutors alleged that Lamin MS Jobe while being employed in the public service and by virtue of his position as the project coordinator for WAAPP neglected his duties by failing to properly supervise his accountant, Mr Beyai which led to his issuance of the said amount of fertilizer to Alagie Kebbeh.
According to count four, Messers Jobe and Beyai in November this year by virtue of their positions gave out 2,000 bags of fertiliser {NPK & Urea} worth D2,260,000 to one Alagie Kebbeh who failed to pay the balance of D1,810,000 without following proper procedures as stated in their project implementation manual.
The accused persons pleaded innocence to all the charges. They were granted bail on count two and three in the sum D3million with two Gambian sureties each. The trial magistrate, Hillary Abeke consequently transferred the economic crime charge to the high court because the lower court lacked the jurisdiction and authority to try the accused persons on that count. Magistrate Abeke further ruled that count one which is abuse of office required the consent of the Attorney General, which he said was a pending charge and therefore remanded the accused persons in prison pending the outcome of the case.
Meanwhile the accused persons are yet to take their plea on count four which is economic crime.
Hearing resumes December 22.
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