Justice Joseph Wowo of the High court in Banjul has asked the State to furnish the court with the report of settlement on the matter involving the state and two accused persons, Mattaar Sowe and Sheikh Manka.

The two are alleged to have stolen the sum of D45,422 from the Bathy Njoll Village CPMS Secco (cooperative society) in June 2001, whilst they were employees of the said secco at Bathy Njoll village, in the Niamina East District of Central River Region.

The eight-year old criminal case has suffered a lot of adjournment.  When the matter was called, Justice Wowo asked the 2nd accused, Sheikh Manka, who was present, whether they were on bail. The accused replied in the affirmative and Justice Wowo disclosed that once he starts the case, he would not allow any plea bargain anymore.

He remarked that the court is of the view that the accused persons are taking the court bail for granted and ordered that the 1st accused be arrested. As soon as Justice Wowo made his pronouncement for the arrest of the 1st accused, the 2nd accused immediately informed the court that he was ready to settle the matter out of court. Justice Wowo then rescinded the bench warrant for the arrest of the 1st accused and adjourned the matter.