Justice Alexander Osei -Tutu of the High Court of The Gambia has ordered for the immediate reinstatement of Babucarr Sowe, former Senior Air Transport Officer of the Gambia Civil Aviation Authority (GCCA).
The High Court Judge also ordered the Gambia Civil Aviation Authority to payback all the salaries and benefits of the former Senior Air Transport Officer from October, 2018 to date.
“I find that the dismissal of the plaintiff (Babucarr Sowe) from the services of the defendant (GCAA) summarily without hearing him violated his rights to fair hearing.
“Accordingly, the dismissal of the plaintiff from the defendant employment on the 10th of October, 2018, without following due process is hereby declared null, void and of no legal effect,” Justice AT Osei submitted.
He added: “Having set aside the dismissal of the plaintiff, I hereby, order for the immediate reinstatement. I further, order that the defendant (GCAA) pays to the plaintiff (Babucarr Sowe) all his salaries and benefits due to him from October, 2018, to date forthwith. I award the cost of D50, 000 against the defendant in favour of the plaintiff.”
Justice A.T Osei made this declaration on Thursday, February 24 2022, at the High Court Annex at Kanifing. It could be remembered that on 12th October, 2018, the former Senior Air Transport Officer was arrested by security operatives stationed at the Banjul International Airport on allegations of disclosing classified information to Thomas Cook.
He was subsequently arraigned before the Brikama Magistrate Court on the 20th February, 2020, for the offence of communication of confidential information contrary to Section 4 of the Official Secrets Act Cap 17:1 Volume 4 Law of The Gambia as revised in 2009.
In a marathon trial that lasted for twenty months, the accused person has maintained his innocence by pleading not guilty, while his employees brought over ten witnesses including its director general to prove their case against him.
Chief Magistrate, Omar Cham of the Brikama Magistrate Court acquitted and discharged, Babucarr Sowe, of all charges linking him to disclosure of confidential information to Thomas Cook Tour Operating Company on Tuesday September, 29th 2020.