By Kemeseng Sanneh (Kexx)
Sheriff Abba Sanyang, a former Minister of Local Government and Lands is standing trial on 26 criminal counts. The charges are Economic Crimes, Forgery, Theft, Disobedient of Statutory Duty and Uttering False Document. Sanyang is charged together with one Pa Modou Jobe.
The alleged offences happened between January 2022 and July 2022 in Janjanbureh, Central River Region. He allegedly made payments to Sankulay Firm, registered and owned by his son.
Count one relates to Disobedient of Statutory Duty contrary to section 115 of the Criminal Code. The prosecution alleged that Sheriff Abba Sanyang wilfully disobeyed the Code of Conduct for civil service of The Gambia by awarding a contract for purchase of small office equipment for the sum of D62,100 to Sankulay Firm.
Count 2 relates to Disobedient of Statutory Duty contrary to section 115 of the criminal code. The prosecution alleged that Sheriff Abba Sanyang during the same period wilfully disobeyed the Code of Conduct for civil service by awarding a contract for the “maintenance of vehicle’ for the sum of D158,400 to Sankulay Firm.
On count 3, Sheriff Abba Sanyang is charged with disobedience of Statutory Duty contrary to section 115 of the criminal code. The prosecution alleged that the former Minister during the same period wilfully disobeyed the Code of Conduct for civil service by awarding a contract for the ‘maintenance of building’ for the sum of D152,540 to the same Sankulay Firm.
On Court 4, Sheriff Abba Sanyang is charged with disobedience of Statutory Duty contrary to section 115 of the criminal code. The Prosecution alleged that during the same period he wilfully disobeyed the Code of Conduct for civil service by awarding a contract for the ‘maintenance of building’ for the sum of D120,600 to Sankulay Firm.
On count 5, Sheriff Abba Sanyang is charged with disobedience of Statutory Duty contrary to section 115 of the criminal code Cap. The Prosecution alleged that Sheriff Abba Sanyang disobeyed the Code of Conduct for civil service by awarding a contract for the purchase of office equipment for the sum of D315,500 to Sankulay Firm.
On count 6, Sheriff Abba Sanyang is charged with disobedience of Statutory Duty contrary to section 115 of the criminal code Cap. The Prosecution alleged that Sheriff Abba Sanyang wilfully disobeyed the Code of Conduct for civil service by awarding a contract for miscellaneous for the sum of D44,100 to Sankulay.
On count 7, Sheriff Abba Sanyang is charged with disobedience of Statutory Duty contrary to section 115 of the criminal code. The prosecution alleged that Sheriff Abba Sanyang wilfully disobeyed the Code of Conduct for civil service by awarding a contract for the supply of furniture and fittings for the sum of D225, 000 to Sankulay Firm.
On count 8, Sheriff Abba Sanyang is charged with disobedience of Statutory Duty contrary to section 115 of the criminal code. The prosecution alleged that Sheriff Abba Sanyang wilfully disobeyed the Code of Conduct for civil service by awarding a contract for the sum of D44,500 to one Sankulay Firm.
On count 9, Sheriff Abba Sanyang is charged with disobedience of Statutory Duty contrary to section 115 of the criminal code. The prosecution alleged that Sheriff Abba Sanyang wilfully disobeyed the Code of Conduct for civil service by awarding a contract for the sum of D72,500 to one Sankulay Firm.
On count 10, Sheriff Abba Sanyang is charged with disobedience of Statutory Duty contrary to section 115 of the criminal code. The prosecution alleged that Sheriff Abba Sanyang wilfully disobeyed the Code of Conduct for civil service by awarding a contract for the sum of D72,500 to one Sankulay Firm.
Count 11 relates to Economic Crimes contrary to section 5 (a) of the Economic Crimes (Specified Offences) Act and punishable under section 6 of the same Act. The prosecution alleged that
Sheriff Abba Sanyang and Pa Modou Jobe being public officers between January 2022 and July 2022 at Janjanbureh and other diverse places within the jurisdiction of the Court wilfully caused the loss of D62,100 (Dalasi) to the government of The Gambia by paying the same amount to Sankulay Firm for purported contract and supply of small office equipment.
Count 12 also relates to Economic Crimes contrary to section 5 (a) of the Economic Crimes (Specified Offences) Act and punishable under section 6 of the same Act. The prosecution alleged that Sheriff Abba Sanyang and Pa Modou Jobe being public officers between January 2022 and July 2022 at Janjanbureh and other diverse places, within the jurisdiction of the Court wilfully caused the loss of D158,400 (Dalasi) to the government of The Gambia by paying the same amount to Sankulay Firm for the purported contract of ‘maintenance of vehicle’.
On count 13, Sheriff Abba Sanyang and Pa Modou Jobe are charged with Economic Crimes contrary to section 5 (a) of the Economic Crimes (Specified Offences) Act, and punishable under section 6 of the same Act. The prosecution alleged that Sheriff Abba Sanyang and Pa Modou Jobe being public officers between January 2022 and July 2022 at Janjanbureh and other diverse places wilfully caused the loss of G162,400 to the government of the Gambia by paying the same amount to Sankulay Firm for purported contract of maintenance of building.
On count 14, Sheriff Abba Sanyang and Pa Modou are charged with Economic Crimes contrary to section 5 (a) of the Economic Crimes (Specified Offences) Act, and punishable under section 6 of the same Act. The prosecution alleged that Sheriff Abba Sanyang and Pa Modou Jobe being public officers between January 2022 and July 2022 at Janjanbureh and other diverse places wilfully caused the loss of D120,600 to the government of the Gambia by paying the same amount to Sankulay Firm for purported contract of ‘maintenance of building.
On count 15, Sheriff Abba Sanyang and Pa Modou Jobe are charged with Economic Crimes contrary to section 5 (a) of the Economic Crimes (Specified Offences) Act and punishable under section 6 of the same Act. The prosecution alleged that Sheriff Abba Sanyang and Pa Modou Jobe being public officers between January 2022 and July 2022 at Janjanbureh and other diverse places, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court wilfully caused the loss of D44,100 to the government of the Gambia by paying the same amount to Sankulay Firm for purported payment for ‘miscellaneous’.
On count 16, Sheriff Abba Sanyang and Pa Modou Jobe are charged with Economic Crimes contrary to section 5 (a) of the Economic Crimes (Specified Offences) Act, and punishable under section 6 of the same Act. The prosecution alleged that Sheriff Abba Sanyang and Pa Modou Jobe being public officers between January 2022 and July 2022 at Janjanbureh and other diverse places wilfully caused the loss of D225,000 to the government of the Gambia by paying the same amount to Sankulay Firm for purported supply of furniture and fittings.
On count 17, Sheriff Abba Sanyang and Pa Modou Jobe are charged with Economic Crimes contrary to section 5 (a) of the Economic Crimes (Specified Offences) Act, and punishable under section 6 of the same Act. The prosecution alleged that Sheriff Abba Sanyang and Pa Modou Jobe being public officers between January 2022 and July 2022 at Janjanbureh and other diverse places wilfully caused the loss of D44500 to the government of the Gambia by paying the same amount to Sankulay Firm.
On count 18, Sheriff Abba Sanyang and Pa Modou Jobe are charged with Economic Crimes, contrary to section 5 (a) of the Economic Crimes and punishable under section 6 of the same Act. The prosecution alleged that Sheriff Abba Sanyang and Pa Modou Jobe being public officers between January 2022 and July 2022 at Janjanbureh and other diverse places wilfully caused the loss of D72,500 to the government of the Gambia by paying the same amount to Sankulay Firm.
On count 19, Sheriff Abba Sanyang and Pa Modou Jobe are charged with Economic Crimes, contrary to section 5 (a) of the Economic Crimes (Specified Offences) Act, cap and punishable under section 6 of the same Act. The prosecution alleged that Sheriff Abba Sanyang and Pa Modou Jobe being public officers between January 2022 and July 2022 at Janjanbureh and other diverse places wilfully caused the loss of D72,500 to the government of the Gambia by paying the same amount to Sankulay.
Count 20 relates to Theft contrary to Section 245 of the Criminal Code punishable under Section 257. The prosecution alleged Sheriff Abba Sanyang and Pa Modou Jobe between March 2022 and April 2022 at Janjanbureh and other diverse places fraudulently took the sum of D75,560 by withdrawing D95,560 against a voucher of D2000 from the Janjanbureh Sub-Treasury Operation account with Trust Bank.
Count 21, also relates to Theft contrary to Section 245 of the Criminal Code punishable under Section 257. The prosecution alleged that Sheriff Abba Sanyang and Pa Modou Jobe between March 2022 and April 2022 at Janjanbureh and other diverse places fraudulently took the sum of D70,000 by withdrawing D105,000 against a voucher of D35,000 from the Janjanbureh Sub-Treasury Operation account with Trust Bank.
On count 22, Sheriff Abba Sanyang is charged with Forgery contrary to Section 318 of the Criminal Code and punishable under Section 322. The prosecution alleged that Sheriff Abba Sanyang between January 2022 and July 2022 at Janjanbureh and other diverse places with intent to defraud made a false invoice of N.S. Trading.
On count 23, Sheriff Abba Sanyang is charged with Forgery contrary to Section 318 of the Criminal Code, and punishable under Section 322. The prosecution alleged that Sheriff Abba Sanyang between January 2022 and July 2022 at Janjanbureh and other diverse places with intent to defraud made a false invoice of YKK Business Enterprise.
On count 24, Sheriff Abba Sanyang is charged with Forgery contrary to Section 318 of the Criminal Code and punishable under Section 322. The prosecution alleged that Sheriff Abba Sanyang between January 2022 and July 2022 at Janjanbureh and other diverse places with intent to defraud made a false invoice of AR COLLEY’S Enterprise.
Count 25 relates to Uttering false documents contrary to Section 328 of the Criminal Code. The prosecution alleged that Sheriff Abba Sanyang between January 2022 and July 2022 at Janjanbureh and other diverse places knowingly and fraudulently uttered a false invoice of N.S. Trading.
Count 26 also relates to Uttering false documents contrary to Section 328 of the Criminal Code. The prosecution alleged that Sheriff Abba Sanyang between January 2022 and July 2022 at Janjanbureh and other diverse places knowingly and fraudulently uttered a false invoice YKK Business Enterprise.
Count 27 also relates to uttering false document, contrary to Section 328 of the Criminal Code. The prosecution alleged that Sheriff Abba Sanyang between January 2022 and July 2022 at Janjanbureh and other diverse places knowingly and fraudulently uttered a false invoice ARCOLLY’S Enterprise and thereby committed an offence.
The prosecution listed 7 witnesses to testify in the case and intend to submit 10 documents including voluntary and cautionary statements of the accused persons, audit reports, bank statements, payment vouchers, Swe Gam Invoice for Pressure Pump, Invoices of N.S. Trading, Invoices of YKK Business Enterprise, Invoices of ARCOLLEY’S Enterprise, Certificate of business registration and Correspondence from GRA.
