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| Banjul Port (Photo: Access Gambia) |
He was in court last Friday just to hear a charge of false
information, a case brought against him by the police in Banjul, the Gambian
capital.
Mr. Abdoulie Tambedou, a former Managing Director of Gambia Ports Authority (GPA) denied giving false information to a public officer when
he appeared at the Banjul Magistrates' Court on Dec. 29, 2012.
The prosecution said he had on August 13, 2012 written a
petition to the Office of the President, alleging that indiscipline was being
meted out to him by the associates and relatives of his predecessor, Momodou
Lamin Gibba, by way of making derogatory remarks towards him and the GPA
management with intent to make the GPA ungovernable for him.
The prosecution claim Mr. Tambedou knew this information
was false at the time.
The Police prosecutor, Sergeant Manga, who applied for an
adjournment to call witnesses, also told the court not to grant Mr. Tambedou
bail, that he could tamper with the evidence against him (interfere with
witnesses) or even flee the country.
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| Mr. Tambedou says he could have fled but chooses not to |
However, Mr Tambedou, who was notified of the charge and
was on police bail since August 2012, said he had all the time to flee, but the
integrity of his job would not allow him to jump bail because of “a mere false
information charge”.
His lawyer, Lamin S. Camara arrived late and quickly
announced his representation of the accused.
“The charge of giving false information is a misdemeanour
and therefore the accused has the right to bail subject to the discretion of
the court,” he said.
The prosecution has to bring facts before the court to
warrant the denial of bail and not just to say the case is being investigated,
he argued.
The lower court heard that four of his passports (old and
new) are in the custody of the police and as well two of his title deeds
situated within the Greater Banjul Area.
Senior Magistrate Momodou M.S. Jallow, presiding, admitted
the prosecution should have completed its investigation by now.
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He said remanding the accused person on this charge would
equal to abuse or violation of his human rights.
He granted Mr. Tambedou bail in the sum of D1 million or
two title deeds with two Gambian sureties who shall swear to an affidavit of
means and had their national identity cards in the custody of the court.
However, when the case resumes on January 2, 2013, the prosecution added three more charges: All related to giving false information.
In The Gambia, false information charges usually carry a punishment
of a maximum fine of D500 or a custodial sentence of 6 months or both.
Written by Modou S. Joof
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