By: Isatou Sarr
The Banjul High Court Annex yesterday dismissed and ordered the closure of a criminal case involving five accused persons and the state.
Justice Soina made the order and dismissal of the case after the full payment of D20,000,000 agreed under a plea bargain arrangement.
The case, between The State and five accused persons — Omar Fofana (1st accused), Alagie Suwareh (2nd accused), Junior Vandy (3rd accused), Jeremiah Thomas (4th accused), and Joy Bangura (5th accused) — involved multiple charges ranging from aggravated drug trafficking to money laundering.
The accused persons were jointly charged on ten counts: Counts 1, 3 and 4 alleged aggravated drug trafficking contrary to Section 43A (1) of the Drug Control (Amendment) Act, 2011.
While, Counts 2 and 5 alleged conspiracy to commit an offence contrary to Section 53 (1) (a) of the Drug Control Act, 2003.
Counts 6 to 10 related to money laundering, contrary to Section 22 (a) of the Anti-Money Laundering and Combating of Terrorist Financing Act, 2012.
During the course of the trial, plea bargain negotiations commenced between the prosecution and the defence, culminating in a plea bargain agreement signed by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on behalf of the State and by each of the five accused persons.
Under the agreement, the accused persons were required to pay a total sum of D20,000,000 (Twenty Million Dalasis).
The court was informed that D18,000,000 had initially been paid, leaving an outstanding balance of D2,000,000, which was to be settled within a maximum period of six months.
When the matter was called, the accused persons were absent.
Principal State Counsel A.A. Wakawa, together with Counsel A.R. Dambelly, appeared for the State, while Counsel A.R. Gomez represented the accused persons.
Defence Counsel Gomez informed the court that the outstanding balance had been fully paid.
“My Lady, we are glad to inform the court that we have paid the balance sum and a receipt was issued to this effect,” Counsel Gomez submitted.
Responding, State Counsel Wakawa confirmed that the remaining balance had indeed been paid in accordance with the agreement.
Justice Soina admitted the receipt dated 3rd December 2025 as evidence and marked it as Exhibit 22.
In her ruling, the court noted the report from Counsel Gomez confirming that the fifth accused had fully settled the outstanding amount agreed upon in the plea bargain, with confirmation from State Counsel Wakawa.
Justice Soina consequently ruled that the five accused persons were discharged of all charges. The case was dismissed and the file ordered closed.