The trial of Mr Momodou O. Njie, Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Department of State for Forestry and Environment, has been deferred to 1st April 2008, when the prosecutor is expected to bring his witnesses to court.

Mr Njie, who was arrested since 21st February 2008, yesterday reappeared before Magistrate Kumba Sillah-Camara of the Bundung Magistrates’ Court, to answer to the charges brought against him.

The accused is being charged for publication of false news contrary to section 181H of the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC), cap. 10, volume III, Laws of The Gambia 1990, as amended act of no. 18 of 2004, and no. 3 of 2005.

The particulars of offence stated that on 19 February at Paparazzi Bar in the Senegambia area, the accused recklessly or having no reasons to believe stated that Amadou Samba is not the true owner of the Daily Observer newspaper and thereby committed an offence.
Furthermore Mr Njie is accused of impersonating a public officer contrary to section 93 B of the CPC, cap. 10, volume 3, Laws of The Gambia.

When the case was called, the IGP’s representative, ASP Bojang, expressed his wish to apply for an adjournment, saying that he could not get in touch with his witnesses because he did not know their addresses- hence a communication barrier between them.

The case was therefore adjourned to 1st April 2008 for continuation.