By Yankuba Jallow
The criminal case involving Mr. Muntaga Momodou Sallah, former Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum, on 23 November 2016, continued as the defence counsel replied to the submission made by the prosecution counsel before Magistrate Kebba Baldeh of the Banjul Magistrates’ Court.
Mr. Sallah is standing trial for allegedly stealing three HP computers valued at 25,400 dollars (approximately 990,600 dalasi).
According to the particulars of offence, Mr. Sallah while serving as permanent secretary at the Ministry of Petroleum, without approval, purchased three HP computers worth $25, 445 which he later stole and took to his home in Senegambia.
The prosecutor further alleged that the accused had stolen three HP computers worth $25,445 which he knew belonged to The Gambia government.
Mr. Sallah is also accused of abusing his office when he instructed, without approval, the purchase of the computers. The incident is said to have happened in the month of November, 2014, in Banjul. He pleaded not guilty as charged.
When the case was called Inspector S. Sanyang appeared for the Inspector General of Police whilst Counsel Janet R. Njie Sallah announced her appearance for the accused person. With the permission of the court, she rectified some grammatical errors and inserted some left out important points.
She explained to the court that they (the defence) had replied to the submission of the prosecution on points of law. She then urged the court to uphold the ‘no case’ submission and to acquit and discharge the accused person based on the arguments made. She cited two unreported high court cases to back her submission – the State v Sait Matty Njie as well as The State v Mam Bury Njie.
The trial Magistrate K. Baldeh adjourned the matter till Wednesday, 14 December, 2016 for ruling on the ‘no case’ submission at 10:30am.
