Non service of Indictment delays trial of 5 Agric officials

By Rohey Jadama The trial involving Madam Ada Gaye, the former Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture and four other officials of the same ministry, was adjourned yesterday, 11 February, 2015 due to the  failure to serve the defence with the filed indictment. The other accused persons are Mr. Fafanding Fatajo, Project Coordinator for the Food and Agriculture Sector Development Project (FASDEP), Mr. Omar Jammeh, the Financial Controller of FASDEP, Mr. Foday Jadama, Deputy Director of the Soil and Water Management Services under the Agric ministry, and Dr Abdou Ceesay, Director of the Department of Livestock Services. When the case was called before Justice Simon A. Abi of the Banjul high court, Sheriff Tambedou announced his appearance for the 1^st accused person, while Lamin S. Camara appeared for the 2^nd, 3^rd, 4th and 5^th accused persons. The state was represented by counsels A. M Yusuf and Aji Amie Ceesay. State counsel Yusuf informed the court that they had filed an indictment. However, when the trial judge asked the defence team whether they have been served, they responded in the negative. The trial judge, in his ruling, adjourned the case to 25^th February at 11am to allow the defence to be served with the indictment. All the accused persons were present in court.    ]]>