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Gambia: Trust Bank D1.9M theft case in court

Ousainou Darboe, the defence counsel for Agustus Sarr, former branch manager of Trust Bank Farafenni, has ordered the High court to acquit and discharge his client who is facing charges of stealing D1, 911, 425 from the bank between August 2002 to December 2004, contrary to section 252 of the criminal code.

In his submission before Justice Monageng of the High Court, in Banjul, last Monday, Lawyer Darboe told the court that there is no evidence proving that the accused is the one who committed the act. “There is no prima facia case made against the accused and therefore, he should be acquitted and discharged”, he said, adding that one of the prosecution witnesses, Sheikh Jobarteh, has admitted that the shortage was discovered when he (Jobarteh) was the branch manager and that the shortfall of D40, 000 was part of the D1, 911, 425.

“Every thing was handed over to him (Jobarteh) and after six months, they claim there was a shortage of D1, 911, 425”, he said.

Darboe further told the court that all the eleven prosecution witnesses in their testimonies had not said anything linking the accused to the said act.

“There is no reasonable conviction for prosecution and I think this is a malicious act”, he added.

He said an audit exercise was conducted and nothing was shown to link the accused to the crime. The case continues.