Former Bundung Magistrates Court Principal Magistrate Pa Modou Njie faced two criminal charges at Banjul High Court on Tuesday. Justice Sonia Akinbiyi heard the case as prosecutors accused Njie of drug dealing and corruption offenses. State lawyers A.A. Wakawa and S. Jawara presented the government case against the former judge. Defense attorneys L.S. Camara, K. Jallow, and S. Sonko represented Njie during the court hearing. The accused man entered not guilty pleas to both criminal charges against him.
Prosecutors claim Njie possessed 104 blocks of cocaine evidence from August 16 to 22 in 2023. The drugs came from a case involving defendants Abdoulie Saidyba and Ndey Jatta at his court. Officials say Njie illegally acted as exhibit keeper without proper legal authority for the cocaine blocks. The Drug Control Act prohibits such actions and carries serious punishment for violations. Court papers show the former magistrate handled evidence improperly during his time as judge.
The second charge accuses Njie of taking a 70,000 dalasi bribe from Michael Ezee on October 16, 2024. Prosecutors say Njie asked for money to influence his court decisions on criminal cases. The Criminal Code makes such corruption illegal for government officials and judges. Ezee also goes by the name Chairman according to court documents. Officials believe the payment aimed to buy favorable rulings from the magistrate.
Defense lawyers asked the court to continue Njie's bail status from the lower court proceedings. They also requested copies of all witness statements and evidence lists from prosecutors. The lawyers want a speedy trial to resolve the charges quickly. Justice Akinbiyi approved the defense requests and ordered prosecutors to share all case materials. The trial will start July 1 and continue July 2 at the high court.
Prosecutors claim Njie possessed 104 blocks of cocaine evidence from August 16 to 22 in 2023. The drugs came from a case involving defendants Abdoulie Saidyba and Ndey Jatta at his court. Officials say Njie illegally acted as exhibit keeper without proper legal authority for the cocaine blocks. The Drug Control Act prohibits such actions and carries serious punishment for violations. Court papers show the former magistrate handled evidence improperly during his time as judge.
The second charge accuses Njie of taking a 70,000 dalasi bribe from Michael Ezee on October 16, 2024. Prosecutors say Njie asked for money to influence his court decisions on criminal cases. The Criminal Code makes such corruption illegal for government officials and judges. Ezee also goes by the name Chairman according to court documents. Officials believe the payment aimed to buy favorable rulings from the magistrate.
Defense lawyers asked the court to continue Njie's bail status from the lower court proceedings. They also requested copies of all witness statements and evidence lists from prosecutors. The lawyers want a speedy trial to resolve the charges quickly. Justice Akinbiyi approved the defense requests and ordered prosecutors to share all case materials. The trial will start July 1 and continue July 2 at the high court.
