By Isatou Sarr
The trial involving former Principal Magistrate Pa Modou Njie continued on Thursday before Justice Sonia Akinbiyi of the Banjul High Court Annex, with the cross-examination of prosecution witnesses proceeding in the ongoing case.
Njie is facing two counts, including dealing in prohibited drugs and official corruption.
On the first count, the accused is alleged to have, between 16 and 22 August 2023, at the Bundung Magistrates’ Court chambers in Kanifing Municipality, unlawfully possessed 104 blocks of cocaine, which were exhibits in the case of the Drug Law Enforcement Agency of The Gambia (DLEAG) versus Abdoulie Saidyba and Ndey Jatta, without lawful authority.
On the second count, he is alleged to have, on or about 16 October 2024 at Bundung, while serving as a Principal Magistrate, corruptly solicited and received D70,000 from one Michael Ezee.
At Thursday’s hearing, prosecution witness Kebba Touray, a former registrar at the Bundung Magistrates’ Court, continued under cross-examination. He told the court that he served as registrar between 2022 and 2023 and was familiar with court record-keeping procedures.
Touray testified that he received 104 blocks of cocaine tendered in the DLEAG case and stored them in the exhibit store. He further stated that the drugs were later retrieved in the presence of DLEAG officials, counted and confirmed before samples were taken for laboratory testing.
He told the court that the exhibits were later returned and signed for by Drug Law Enforcement officers, including Sgt Buramoth Jammeh, J.C. Faye and a director identified as Mr Faal. He also said entries were made in the exhibit waybook, which he could produce if required.
The prosecution also called Deputy Superintendent of Police Demba Bah, head of CID in Kairaba, as PW2.
Bah told the court that he obtained both cautionary and voluntary statements from the accused during investigations. He said the accused wrote his own statement after being informed of his rights, and that an independent witness signed as required.
Under cross-examination, Bah confirmed his role in the investigation and the handling of the statements, which were later tendered and admitted in evidence as exhibits A1 and A2 without objection from the defence.
The prosecution further called Chief Michael Ezee as PW3, who confirmed knowing the accused as a friend. He told the court that he had been contacted by police in early 2025 and later arrested.
Ezee testified that his dealings with the accused were limited to professional and personal services, including motor spare parts, vehicle repairs and assistance with electronics, denying any other financial transactions.
His cautionary and voluntary statements were tendered and marked as identification exhibits.
The court subsequently adjourned the matter to 13 and 16 July 2026 for continuation of the trial.