The civil appeal matter involving the State and Ocean Bay Hotel, yesterday, 14th February 2013, resumed before the Gambia Court of Appeal, presided over by Justice M. M. Agyemang.

It could be recalled that the Commission of Inquiry into Tax Evasion and other corrupt malpractices recommended that the said hotel was liable to pay the sum of D35,337,873.00 (Thirty five million, three hundred and thirty seven thousand, eight hundred and seventy three dalasis). The appellant, Ocean Bay Hotel however filed an application to stay the execution before the Gambia Court of Appeal, which was subsequently granted.

During the court sitting yesterday, State Counsel, K. Tah informed the court that the state has received the appellant's motion, adding that the state was not opposing the said motion. Lawyer K. Tah indicated that Ocean Bay Hotel's case was among some of the cases that are on the verge of possible settlement.

Meanwhile, Justice M. M. Agyemang, who asked the appellant'S Legal counsel, Abdou Aziz Bensouda why the appellant's representative was in court, informed the court that the court reserved the right to vacate its order if the representative of the appellant is absent in court.

Lawyer A. Bensouda who apologised to the court for his client's absence, also told the court that the appellant's Human Resources Manager had called him that he was on his way. Justice M. M. Agyemang however warned that the court would not tolerate any absence of the appellant's representative.

The matter was then adjourned to the 20th March, 2013 for possible settlement of the matter.