Mr. Mambury Njie, who until his unexpected fall-out with the Jammeh administration has served in several ministerial and senior government capacities, is currently standing trial on economic crimes and abuse of office charges at the High Court in Banjul.

The ex-minister was last week arraigned at the Banjul Magistrates' Court, presided over by acting Principal Magistrate, Babucarr Secka, where criminal charges were proffered on him.

For jurisdictional reasons, the lower court only entered Mr. Njie's plea and referred the matter to the High Court.

Njie is accused by the state of conducting himself in acts that are detrimental to the economy of the Gambia between 2006 and 2010, but he denies any wrongdoing.

On Monday, 24th December 2012, the accused was brought from the Mile 2 Remand Wing, and appeared before Justice Mikailu Abdullah. With the judiciary presently on vacation, Justice Abdullah is the only one presiding over cases as the vacation judge.

The accused person waited at the premises of the High Court in Banjul for more than five (5) hours, for the vacation judge who was reported to have gone to the court martial, at the Yundum Army Barracks.

Njie was seen preoccupied with a novel as he waited for the Judge to arrive from the said court martial.

With only few minutes before 4pm, the judge came and the matter was heard in camera, where the lawyer for the accused person, Lamin S. Camara, made a bail application on behalf of his client.

After about five (5) minutes in-camera on bail application hearing, the accused re-surfaced with prison guards and his lawyer, with information that the matter was adjourned for the determination of their bail application.

The case will resume today at 9 am for determination of the bail application.