Former Immigration Director General’s Case Set for Judgement

By Mamadou Dem & Rohey Jadama Principal Magistrate Lamin Mbaye of the Banjul Magistrate’s Court is expected to deliver judgement on the 15^th of September, 2014 in the criminal case of Buba Sagnia, erstwhile Director General of the Immigration Department. When the case was called, State prosecutor, Mam Jobe adduced that the state has filed a brief on 30^th July, 2014; adding that the dates earlier given by the court,28-29 July respectively, falls on public holidays .She therefore urged the court to adopt the said brief. Edward Singhatey, counsel for the accused person submitted that the defence filed its brief on the 21^st of August, 2014. “We humbly pray this court deems the defendant’s brief as properly filed.” He added that the defence wishes to rely on the briefs in its entirety. Subsequently, both briefs were adopted by the trial magistrate and the case was adjourned till the above date for judgement. Readers would recall that Mr. Sagnia is standing trial on charges of Abuse of Office contrary to the laws of The Gambia. According to the particulars of offence, the aforesaid person on or about the 28^th of October 2013, at the immigration headquarters, in the city of Banjul and diverse places, the republic of the Gambia, abused the authority of his office as the Director General of the Immigration Department, by issuing an entry clearance to Mr. Ali Chahin, a Syrian national and Hussein Abs Lebanese national, without following the appropriate immigration procedures, thereby committed an offence. He denied the charge. ]]>