Gambiaj.com – (Banjul, The Gambia) – In a dramatic courtroom moment that underscored the judiciary’s frustration with bureaucratic delays, Justice Ebrima Jaiteh of the High Court has issued a forceful ultimatum to two senior civil servants: appear before the court or risk imprisonment for contempt.

The stern directive came during the ongoing economic crime and theft trial involving businessman Alhagie Kebbeh and his company, accused of swindling the Gambian government out of more than D64 million during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kebbeh, who denies all charges, is alleged to have received the money from 39 vendors between 2020 and 2021 for the supply of 58,500 bags of rice meant for distribution to vulnerable families. According to the state, only 17,096 bags were delivered, with the remaining 41,404 bags allegedly unaccounted for — a discrepancy at the heart of the prosecution’s case.

But the trial took a sharper turn when Justice Jaiteh, visibly irritated by what he described as repeated failures to comply with court summonses, invoked his powers under Section 117 of the Criminal Procedure Code to order the mandatory appearance of two top officials:

Mr. Hassan Jallow, the former Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Trade (now posted to the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy), and the current Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Trade.

Their appearance is critical, said Justice Jaiteh, to resolve what he called “vital factual issues” obstructing the trial’s progress.

“No One Is Above the Law”

In his order, Justice Jaiteh did not mince words. He emphasized that failure to appear would be treated as contempt of court, punishable by imprisonment. “Take notice that failing to comply with this court order… shall be considered an act of contempt. Such failure may result in penalties that could include a term of imprisonment,” the judge warned.

The move reflects growing judicial frustration with the executive branch, which has been perceived as slow to assist in high-profile corruption cases. Justice Jaiteh’s decision to directly involve the ministers overseeing both permanent secretaries further underscored the urgency. Copies of the court order have been served to the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy and the Minister of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration, and Employment to ensure compliance.

Documents Demanded

In addition to appearing in person, the current Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Trade is required to produce several key documents. These include:

A December 7, 2020 letter from Win-Win Oil Gambia Limited to the Ministry of Trade confirming the availability of rice stock on behalf of Halim’s Trading, along with 38 similar letters sent to other vendors.

A February 17, 2022, letter from Win-Win Oil Gambia Limited addressed to Mr. Yasuhiro Tsumara, Country Director of the World Food Programme, and copied to the Minister of Trade.

Mr. Hassan Jallow, meanwhile, is expected to testify on a statement he gave to the Gambia Police Force on June 12, 2023, which the court considers critical to the case.

A High-Stakes Trial

Kebbeh stands accused of violating Section 5(f) of the Economic Crimes Act and Section 245 of the Criminal Code. The case, which has become a bellwether for how The Gambia handles corruption in the wake of the pandemic, has drawn considerable public attention.

Justice Jaiteh has adjourned proceedings to May 19, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., giving both permanent secretaries time to prepare. But his message was clear: the era of bureaucratic evasiveness is over.

As the trial continues, all eyes will be on whether the state’s top civil servants will heed the court’s warning — or risk becoming defendants themselves.