By Mariama Marong
The trial of former principal magistrate Pa Modou Njie on charges of dealing in prohibited drugs and official corruption has been adjourned to October 16, 2025. The postponement was announced in the Banjul High Court Annexe before Justice Sonia Akinbiyi K.J.W. following an update from the State.
State counsel A.A. Wakawa informed the court on July 1 that the prosecution is currently unable to serve the necessary documents to the accused as the case file has been returned for further investigation. The prosecution, therefore, requested adjournment. Defence counsel L.S. Camara did not oppose the prosecution’s request, acknowledging the constraints faced by the State.
Pa Modou Njie is facing two counts and he denied both of them. The first charge relates to dealing in prohibited drugs under Section 33(d) of the Drug Control Act, alleging that between August 16 and August 22, 2023, at his chambers in the Bundung Magistrates’ Court, he unlawfully possessed 104 blocks of cocaine confiscated as drug exhibits in a separate case. He is accused of falsely assuming the role of exhibit keeper. The second charge accuses the former magistrate of official corruption, specifically soliciting and receiving a gratification of 70,000 dalasis from an individual named Michael Ezee as a reward to influence judicial decisions while presiding over cases.
The court will resume the trial after the prosecution completes its investigations and submits the required documents. The matter is adjourned to October 16, 2025, for the commencement of the trial.
