‘Allegation on Sacked Top Agric. Officials is Speculation’

The theft allegation on five former top officials of Ministry of Agriculture is based on speculation, the prosecution admitted on Wednesday at Banjul Magistrates’ Court.
Dr Amadou Sowe, ex-permanent secretary, Abdurrahman Jobe ex-P.S no.2, Mbye Jabang, project manager of Gambia National Agriculture Investment Programme (GNAIP), Bakary L.O Sonko, deputy director, GNIP, and Mustapha Jatta, accounts clerk are alleged to have embezzled sums of money earmarked for the implementation of GNAIP, a five-year agriculture investment plan.
They denied any wrong-doing.
And when Superintendent Joof, who represents the state in the trial Wednesday revealed that investigators are still working on the reports and that the charge is based on speculation, magistrate Alagbe threatened to strike out the case.
“The prosecution can withdraw the case until when they are ready,” said Defense counsel Gaye, noting that another adjournment will be unfair to the accused persons eventhough they are bailed. 
 However, the presiding magistrate subsequently adjourned the case pending the prosecution’s readiness to proceed.