By Rohey Jadama
Mrs. Sira Wally Ndow Njai, the Deputy Minister Petroleum who is remanded for 44 days now has applied for bail for the second
time at the Banjul High court yesterday 9 August, 2016.
When the case was called before Justice Ogar Edward Eneji Lawyer Mary A. Samba and Y.H. Cox held briefs for Lawyer Ida Drammeh defence counsel for Mrs. Ndow-Njai, whilst Lawyer A. Mendy and A. Yaqubu announced their representation for the state.
At this juncture Lawyer Samba informed the court that they have filed an originating summons before the court dated 1 August, 2016 and that the case is for hearing. She expressed their will to proceed.
However, state counsel A. Mendy argued that they are served with the originating summons that morning in court and he requested for 48 hours to reply to the content of the originating summons.
“My client has been in Mile Two Central Prisons for 44 days now. She has a serious medical condition and it is urgent, that is why we filed the bail application since 1 August, 2016. I would like to urge the court for a speedy hearing. She was charged with others who were granted bail and we are anxious that the case be heard”, submitted Barrister Samba.
Responding to the Lawyer Samba, state counsel Mendy said they were served yesterday morning and as such they could not reply to it yesterday. He reiterated that they need 48 hours to reply.
At this juncture, Justice Eneji adjourned the case till Thursday 11 August, 2016 at 12noon for hearing.
It could be recalled that Mrs. Sira Wally Ndow-Njai together with two other officials of the GNPC namely Noah Touray former Secretary to Cabinet, Mr. Momodou OS Badjie Former Director of Petroleum were denied bail by Justice Otaba of the Special Criminal Division of the High Court last week.
However, Justice Otaba granted bail to 7 officials of GNPC who are jointly charged with the trio that have been refused bail. Those granted bail are Edrissa Mass Jobe, Cherno Marena, former Solicitor General, Muntanga Momodou Sallah, Former Petroleum Permanent Secretary, Louie Moses Mendy, Seedy Kanyi, Fafa Sanyang, Former Petroleum Permanent Secretary and Momodou Taal.
