By Nelson Manneh
Authorities at the Judiciary have interdicted an accounts clerk/cashier after a save containing cash went missing at his office at the Bundung Magistrate’s Court.
“Mr Haruna Jallow is interdicted by the authorities after a save in his custody at the Bundung Magistrate’s Court went missing. He used to keep cash in the save. The matter was reported to the police, who launched an investigation into the case,” a source at Bundung Magistrate’s Court told Foroyaa.
The source added that the former registrar of Bundung Magistrate’s Court, Seedy Jawara, was transferred to the High Court in Banjul after the incident.
“Seedy was questioned by the Police after the incident happened at Bundung Magistrate’s Court,” the source said.
This reporter has contacted Police Spokesperson, Cadet ASP Modou Musa Sissawo, but is yet to get his version. Foroyaa will keep its readers posted on the development when it receives information from the Police.
The source that spoke to Foroyaa on condition of anonymity added that the incident happened after the prosecution of a judicial staff (Bakary Sarr), who was convicted and sent to jail for engaging in corrupt practices.
According to the source, the latest incident also happened after the police launched investigation in to the case of Ansumana Bah, assistant procurement officer at the judiciary, who is said to have stolen a motorbike at the Banjul High Court.
“Ansumana Bah was arrested by the police. He was later released on bail. However he was never interdicted by the authorities. He is still coming to work. Deputy Sheriff of Administration at the High Court in Banjul, was also arrested and investigated by the police for stealing a vehicle at the Bundung Magistrate’s Court. The vehicle was attached by the court and parked at the Bundung Magistrate’s Court,” a source familiar with the case told Foroyaa.
The vehicle which belongs to one Pa Sori Joof, was attached by the court after the defendant (Jood) lost a civil suit against an Iranian national.
“Fatty took the vehicle from where it was parked at Bundung Court and sold it without authorisation,” the source told Foroyaa.
The police arrested Fatty, but later released him on bail, the source added.
According to the source, the police have conducted investigation in to the matter.
“The police have concluded their investigation in to the matter and have submitted a written report to the Judiciary. Fatty is yet to be interdicted by the authorities. He is still reporting to work at the Judiciary in Banjul,” the source concluded.
Foroyaa understands that statements were taken from people, but the case died. Fatoumatta Cham, the Director of Communication and Public Relations at the Judiciary (she resigned from her job) had earlier told Foroyaa that the motorcycle has been recovered and the matter has been resolved internally by a disciplinary unit.
When Foroyaa learnt of the stolen motorbike incident, the paper contacted Police spokesperson, Cadet Assistant Superintendent Binta Njie, for comments, but she said “the SO [station officer] in Banjul seems not aware [of it].” The reporter informed the Police Spokesperson that the matter was definitely investigated by them and the station officer should check with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
Ansumana Bah is still reporting to work and the Judiciary. The staff of the Judiciary who spoke to the undercover reporters said they felt betrayed because they did not see justice in this matter.
“How can a senior worker steal from the courts and nothing comes out of it?” a junior staff familiar with the case told Foroyaa.
“It is disheartening to see that cases of this nature would happen in the Judiciary and nothing comes out of it. If someone handling procurement at the Judiciary can do this and nothing comes out of it, then what is the essence of justice,” he said.
Former judiciary spokesperson Fatoumatta Cham said, “In the case of Mr Seedy Fatty, the issue is being investigated by the Police and we are yet to receive an official communication regarding the outcome.”
Foroyaa spoke to sources very familiar with the matter including police sources and they all confirmed this.
“I think they have killed the case,” he said.
. According to sources at the judiciary, there was another scandal involving employees of the Judiciary. Just last year Foroyaa uncovered the Eleven Million Dalasis saga.
The staff in the center of the controversy was accused of trying to transfer monies from the Judiciary accounts without authority. The trial lasted for a few minutes and the man was fined Ten Thousand Dalasis as fine by the Banjul Magistrate’s Court.
Cham, the spokesperson for the Judiciary at the time, said the Judiciary was committed to the delivery of justice.
“In doing so, we frown on any act that jeopardizes our integrity and that of our staff,” she said.
