State To Drop Economic Crime Charges Against Lai Conteh

Conteh Says He Has Money To Pay off Missing Millions

Once He Paid off The Squandered Funds, We Will Drop The Charges- DPP Richard Chenge

By Staff Reporter Bakary Gibba, Banjul

Lawyers representing the former Kanifing Municipal Council Mayor Lai Conteh,  have announced a new monetary deal—which could set their client free from future legal wrangling with The Gambian state, a court in the regional town of Kanifing heard Monday. The embattled Mayor said he has the necessary funds to pay off the millions of dalasis he allegedly embezzled during his watch as the head of the KMC. His lawyers informed the Special Court Criminal Division headed by Justice Moses Richards that Mr. Conteh is willing to pay the sum in question to regain his freedom once and for all.

The source of Mr. Conteh’s funds to pay off the alleged squandered funds have not been disclosed by his attorneys, but the Lawyers said the former Mayor has secured the necessary funds to pay the state. They said Mr. Conteh had instructed them to reach a deal with the state—with the view of facilitating an amicable settlement of the funds he was accused of plundering while in office.

Lai Conteh, who is an influential political figure in The Gambia was accused of economic crimes, shortly after he was dismissed by the Government. He suffered numerous arrest, and routine persecution in the hands of Gambia’s security agencies.

Mr. Conteh was held by the state in May of 2006. He was accused of being an accomplice in a foiled coup—reportedly led by the erstwhile Chief of Defense Staff Colonel Ndure Cham.

When the economic crime charges case brought against him by the state surface in the court system, Mr. Conteh rejected the indictments. He maintains his innocence during the first quarter of the trial, but after a second thought, he decided to reach a plea bargaining with the state.

Richard Chenge, is the Director of Public Prosecution at the Attorney General Chambers in Banjul—the state’s main law office. Mr. Chenge informed the court about the state’s plans to drop the charges filed against Lai Conteh, upon the full settlement of the funds he allegedly squandered during his tenure as KMC Mayor. DPP Chenge said the missing funds belonged to the Council, and the least the state expects from the accused was to return the stolen money. He emphasized the fact that the funds belonged to the Council and the accused should endeavor to pay the money in order to regain his freedom. He said once the money is paid, Conteh would be freed.

Despite the state’s willingness to reach a deal with Conteh, presiding judge Justice Richards prevailed on DPP Chenge to carefully review the situation before the next court hearing. The case was set for continuation for March 15. Details of the ongoing negotiations to pay off the missing KMC funds would be communicated to the court in the next adjourned date.

Mr. Conteh was accused of resisting arrest at the airport—shortly after his return from an overseas trip. His strained relationship with the Jammeh Government had since aggravated.