William Joof, former Permanent Secretary at the Department of State for Foreign Affairs, was yesterday re-arrested, charged and granted bail, Daily Observer can reveal.

Mr Joof was on Wednesday discharged by Magistrate Sagarr Jahateh of the Banjul Magistrates' Court on the ground that the Prosecution failed to show diligence.
Inspector Secka, Police Relations Officer of the Gambia Police Force, confirmed the story. However, the Police Spokesperson could not ascertain the condition on which Mr Joof was bailed.

The previous charges held that William John Joof between May and June 2002, while employed in the public service of The Gambia as Ambassador to France, corruptly received the sum of Euros 24,391 from one Gerrard Nuss as condition for appointing him into the Consular Service of The Gambia; thereby committing an offence.

On count two, Mr Joof on or about 20th May, 2002, while employed in the civil service as The Gambia's Ambassador to France received a brand new Peaugot 607 (bearing chassis number XF3,90XFXF92111193 and registration number 918W W B 92) valued at Euros 26,448.18 from one Michael Coencas as a condition for appointing him as Consular; thereby committing another offence.