D6.7M GPA Economic Crime Case Resumes

The single count economic crime charge pressed against Jahou Jammeh, ex-cashier of the Gambia Ports Authority (GPA), yesterday resumed at the Special Criminal Court, presided over by Justice Emmanuel Nkea of the High Court in Banjul.

The former GPA cashier was charged with the offence of causing the Ports Authority to lose the sum of six million, seven hundred and seventy three thousand Dalasis, six hundred and seven Dalasis and sixty-four Bututs (D6,773,607.64). The accused denied the charge; hence the prosecution opened litigation with the call of witnesses to support their case.
Yesterday's sitting proceeded with cross-examination of the fourth prosecution witness (PW4), Patience Loum, Rating manager of the Gambia Ports Authority. The witness defended her evidence saying it is nothing but the truth.

The defence counsel Kebba Sanyang, cross-examined the GPA’s Rating manager with respect to series of exhibits tendered and admitted in court as evidence. Such exhibits include receipt books, delivery forms of the GPA, among others, with references made to the numbering of such books.

The witness acknowledged that a committee set up by the Gambia Ports Authority to look into entries on various dates, including among other dates 24th January 2011, made an inquiry. She further identified the exhibits shown to her by the defence, saying all the receipts were signed by the accused person, Jahou Jammeh, while some were signed by one Yande Jome.

However, she maintained that a receipt was drawn up by the accused, Jahou Jammeh on 28th and 31st January 2011 and she signed them. The witness identified exhibit F2, which she said was in her custody and she made entries in it based on information she received. The case was adjourned for continuation with an order for the prosecution to supply the defence with the delivery forms cited by the witness.

It could be recalled that the accused was charged under Section 5 (a) of the Economic Crime Specified Act, Laws of The Gambia. The particulars of the offence stated that the accused, Jahou Jammeh, between the month of July and August 2011, in Banjul and diverse places within the jurisdiction of the court, whilst in the employment of the Gambia Ports Authority, unlawfully caused loss of D6,773,607. 64, being the property of the Gambia Ports Authority.