Few hours after Judgment in the economic crime case involving Momodou Sabally, former Secretary General and Minister for Presidential Affairs was deferred at the Special Criminal Court in Banjul before Justice Amadi, the state filed a ‘Nolle Prosequi’, a prosecutor’s decision to voluntarily discontinue criminal charges before a verdict is rendered.
The decision by the state made Sabally a free man as the case against him have been withdrawn.
According to sources, Sabally was in court yesterday with members of his family including his wife. His lawyer, senior counsel Antouman Gaye, was also present in court.
Momodou Sabally was first arraigned on 11 August 2014, before Justice Makailu on a three-count charge of economic crime and abuse of office, which he denied.
On 22 October 2014, prosecutors filed an amended additional eight-count charge, which included economic crime, abuse of office, neglecting official duty and giving false information to a public servant, which he again denied.
Senior defence counsel Antouman Gaye filed a bail application before Justice Amadi of the Special Criminal Court in Banjul, and Sabally was granted bail of D1.5 million on 25 November 2014.
During the trial, the prosecution led by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Barkun, called ten witnesses and tendered exhibits. One of them was Alassan Ndoye whose cars were presented to President Jammeh as gifts.
At the closure of the prosecution’s case, Momodou Sabally entered into defense and testified as a lone witness.
The unanswered question now is, why did the State put the man through such a trial and wasted everybody’s time, when Sabally actually had no case to answer?
