By Louise Jobe
Trial Magistrate Peter Ado Che of the Brikama Magistrate’s Court has adjourned the matter involving Samsideen Phatty against two media personalities to enable Phatty to testify virtually.
Phatty, who resides abroad travelled to the Gambia to give evidence before court and it is now time for the defence to cross-examine him. The court granted his Lawyer’s request to have the remainder of his testimony virtually because his date was due.
The two personalities Fatoumata Touray and Fatou Drammeh are facing private criminal prosecution by Samsudeen Phatty.
The two are charged with “unauthorised publication of proceedings from the Children’s Court,” contrary to the laws of the Gambia.
According to the particulars of offence, Fatou Touray and Fatoumatta Drammeh, sometime between the months of January and February 2021, published the matter of Samsudeen Phatey vs Neneh J. Thompson pending at the Children’s Court without authorisation of the said Court.
When the case came on the 3rd January 2023 for hearing, the court had issues of connectivity and the proceedings could not go ahead.
Lawyer Abdul Aziz Bensouda for the two media personnel (defendants) made application for the statement of Sam Phatty to be provided to him on or before the next adjourned date. The application was granted by the court.
The case was adjourned to the 9th January 2023 at 1pm for hearing.
Magistrate Peter Adoh Che made an order that the witness testimony of Phatty will be rejected if he fails to appear virtually in court on the next adjourned date.
Counsels Abdul Aziz Bensouda and A. C Jatta appeared for they were present in court while counsel Ismaila Dibba holding brief for Counsel Malick B. Jallow the applicant counsel was not in court. The sitting was to cross examine Samsideen Phatey by the defendants counsel, on the false publication information.
