Justice Basiru Mahoney has slammed the former pro government newspaper, The Daily Observer with a fine of D100,000 (Hundred Thousand Dalasi) for appearing late at the High Court in Banjul.
The former pro government paper is involved in a tax scandal with the country’s tax authorities that is claiming the sum of D17, 473, 584.47 Million being the amount for tax evasion.
When the case was mentioned Lawyer Ma Nyima Bojang announced her appearance for the Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) while the defendant was not represented by any lawyer except the Managing Director, Deputy Editor-In-Chief and another person who appeared in the name of the company.
According to the particulars in the charge sheet, there are additional claims of corporate income tax, sales tax, value added tax and payroll tax from 2000 to 2016 with an interest rate of 25 percent.
Meanwhile, the paper is said to be facing financial troubles prompting the staff to petition the management particularly the Managing Director and Deputy Editor-In-Chief to resign from their positions immediately.
