By Rohey Jadama
The economic crime case involving Mr. Sheikh Tijan Sosseh, the
former Coordinator of the West Africa Agricultural Productivity
Project (WAAPP), did not proceed before Justice Amadi of the Special
Criminal Division of the Banjul High Court yesterday, 1st July 2015.When the case was called, Lawyer Antouman Gaye, counsel
for Mr. Sosseh, told the court that the accused person went to a
dentist to extract his teeth and it got broken and it has to be stitched.
He said it is due to this that he cannot talk and has been given
Excuse for Duty (ED).
Counsel Gaye further told the court that the accused is supposed to go
back to the hospital on Monday. He handed the medical report of the
accused to the court. ”My lord, we are applying for an adjournment,”
said Barrister Gaye.
However, there was no objection from M.B Abubacarr, the Deputy
Director of Public Prosecutions (DDPP).
The case was adjourned to 15 July 2015 at 1:30pm.
It is alleged on Count One that while Mr Sosseh was employed as the
Project Coordinator of the GEAPP, he failed and omitted to fully
apply a Euro 5.3 million grant from the World Bank and leaving unspent
$76,489.20, which omission was detrimental to the economy of The
Gambia and the welfare of the Gambian people.
Count two states that while employed in the public service of The
Gambia as GEAPP Coordinator, Mr. Sosseh neglected to effectively
supervise the construction and rehabilitation of the Seed
Multiplication Centre at Chamen in the Gambia.
Count Three indicate that while Mr. Sosseh was employed
as the GEAPP Coordinator, he recklessly paid D15,895,125.25 to the
general procurement service inspite of the shoddy construction and the
rehabilitation works at Chamen Seed Multiplication Centre and thereby
caused an economic loss to The Gambia through the Ministry of
Agriculture and the GEAPP.]]>
