In Willy Joof’s case CMC Dibba continues testimony

Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Burama Dibba, crime management coordinator (CMC) at the Police Head Quarters in Banjul last Wednesday continued his evidence in chief in the on going trial involving Mr William John Joof, Gambia’s former ambassador to the Republic of France, before Senior Magistrate Kayode Olajubutu of the Banjul Magistrates’ Court.

Continuing his evidence, CMC Dibba recalled that, on the 14 September 2007, he left The Gambia to the Republic of France on an investigative mission at The Gambia’s embassy in France.

Mr Dibba noted that, he met Mr Benjamin Jallow, PW1 who is the current Charge d’ Affairs at the Gambian embassy in France and explained his mission to him.

Commenting on his investigation, CMC Dibba informed the court that, he collected many documents in connection to his investigations such as the statement of Bank accounts, speed tickets, insurance document issued from one of the insurance companies in France in connection to the vehicle in question, a Bank account opened in the name of the Gambia’s permanent delegation to the UNESCO, the 15,000 Euros and 160,000 France Frank  paid by Gerald Nuss to Mr Joof.

According to the Gambia Police Force Crime Management Coordinator, Gerald Nuss told him that he paid 15,000 Euros to Mr Willy Joof in consideration for his appointment as The Gambia’s Honourary Counsel. He added that Gerald Nuss also informed him that he paid a sum of 160,000 France Frank to cover the cost of administrative expenditures to facilitate the paper works of his appointment.

CMC Dibba added that while in Paris, at the end of his investigations, he interviewed Mr Benjaming Jallow and the complainant Gerrald Nuss. “Upon returned to The Gambia, William John Joof, the accused person was invited for questioning. He accepted almost all the accusations level against him on a point by point basis which was puntuated by writing his own statements with regards to the allegations” he informed the court.

CMC Dibba further told the court that Mr Joof was then cautioned by ASP Ebrima Jobe, and personally wrote his own statement in the presence of an independent witness.

Lawyer Lamin Camara, defense counsel then made an objections to the admission of some of the recovered documents.

DPP Emmanuel Fagbenle countered the objections of the defence counsel. He backed up his submission by relying on admission of public documents under several sections quoted from the evidence Act Laws of The Gambia.

The  defence counsel’s objections were over-ruled by Senior Magistrate Kayode. The documents were tendered and mark as exhibits and others as IDS. The case continues.




Author: by Sanna Jawara