Carnegie Boss Wins Appeal Case!!!

….Justice Agim's Position Lies On Knife Edge

….As State Appeal Dismissed

By Senior Staff Writer Ansumana Jammeh, Banjul

Banjul-7/18/08-The Economic Crime case against the Carnegie Minerals Manager,  took a dramatic tiwst yesterday, as the Appeal Court dismisses the state’s appeal. The President of  the Appeal Court Justice Akimoyae Agim ruled against the state in Carnegie Minerals Mining Company and its General Manager case on Thursday 17th July 2008.

         In his ruling Justice Agim said it is a key requirement that justice should be done within a reasonable time. In reading the court's decision Justice Agim relied on an authority and cases both in the Gambia and Nigeria with regards to a stay of proceedings applications.

         He outlined the conditions required to be met before a stay of proceedings can be granted.

         This rather surprising ruling by the Appeal Court has raised fears regarding the security of Judges,  who reached this decision chief among them Justice Agim. Agim for the first time, has demonstrated high degree of impartiality in the Carnegie case by ruling against the State. He citied various legal authorities to back up his ruling.

        It was earlier this week that two judges namely B.Y. Camara and Roche........ of Gambia's High Court were given their marching orders. The above mentioned two judges have been seen by many observers as  independent minded. They have a reputation for delivering judgment that are not always favorable to the State.

   The Carnegie General Manager was charged with economic crimes by the State. His company was contracted to export minerals from The Gambia to China. But The Gambian Government claimed in a court deposition that Carnegie was economical with the truth, especially on matters relating to facts and financial figures regarding the said joint venture deal. The Carnegie boss denied the charges. He was since denied traveling to his native England, pending the conclusion and determination of the criminal proceedings instituted against him.