One of Three Counts against Ex-Supt. Manlafi Sanyang Dropped

The Banjul Magistrates Court on Thursday struck out the second count on the seperate case involving only ex-Superintendent Manlafi Sanyang. The count was dropped on the grounds that it was duplicitous.

The defense counsel, Lamin Camara, had objected to the count, advancing the argument of its duplicity and therefore exposing the accused a trial on the same offence and subject matter one too many. The objection was upheld and the said count was later struck out following a ruling delivered by the court.

The accused Manlafi Sanyang now faces one count of abuse of office and one count of stealing as opposed to the initial three counts.

In count one, the particulars of the offence revealed that Manlafi Sanyang being the person employed in the service of the Government of The Gambia as Controller of Government Vehicles, sometime in June 2002 in Banjul or other places in The Gambia in abuse of his office sold Government vehicle officially registered BJL4591 A without authorisation.

On count two, it is alleged that being the person employed in the service of the Government of The Gambia as Controller of Government Vehicles sometime in June 2002 stole the sum of D75,000 being proceeds realised from the sale to Alhagi Conteh a vehicle officially registered BJL 4591 A, property of The Gambia Government.

The case was presided over by Senior Magistrate Kayode, who adjourned it to 16th May for trial.