By Rohey Jadama
The Gambia Court of Appeal presided over by a panel of 3 judges, yesterday 17 November, 2016 adjourned the criminal appeal
case of ‘30th December Attackers’ for adoption of briefs.
The panel of justices namely Justices Edrisa Fafa M’bai, Awa Bah and headed by O.A Adegoke ordered both parties to file their respective briefs of argument.
The appellants are Lt Sarjo Jarju, Captain Abdoulie Jobe, Buba Bojang, Lt Amadou Sowe, Lt Buba Sanneh, and Private Modou Njie.
Lawyers S. Kennedy and Mariama Singhateh announced their representation for Captain Jobe, Bojang, Lt. Sanneh , and private Njie. Lawyer Borry S. Touray appeared for Lt. Jarju and Lawyer Lamin S. Camara for Lt. Sowe , while Hadi Saleh Barkun, the Director of Public Prosecution, A.M Yusuf and B. Jeng appeared for the state respondent.
Lawyer Camara informed the court that he has filed the additional grounds of appeal for Lt. Sowe and that he believes the respondent has been served with it. Defence counsel Touray also told the court that he has also filed the additional grounds of appeal for Lt. Jarju.
The DPP acknowledged service of the said additional grounds of appeal as well as the notices of appeal.
At this stage Lawyer Touray said he needs to do a lot of research in the case and he therefore requested for 28 days to enable him file his brief of argument. Lawyers Camara and Kennedy associated themselves with the application of Barrister Touray.
However, the DPP said four weeks will cause a bit of delay in the case. He requested for two weeks to file the respondent’s brief of argument.
In her ruling Justice Adegoke granted 28 days to all the appellants and 14 days to the respondent to file their respective briefs of arguments.
Justice Adgoke however, stressed that there shall be no extension of time if they fail to file on time. She subsequently adjourned the case to 16 January, 2017 for adoption of briefs.
It would be recalled that the four appellants together with two other convicts faced up to 14 charges, ranging from treason to security offences.
The five-member court martial comprising a president and four other members, who were senior officers from GAF, held proceedings from 5 February to 30 March 2015 at the Officers’ Training Centre, Fajara Barracks outside the glare of the media.
Lieutenant Colonel Sarjo Jarju was discharged on one count but sentenced to 10 years imprisonment on one count, 20 years imprisonment on one count, life imprisonment on 3 counts and to death on one count.
Captain Amadou Sowe was sentenced to life imprisonment on two counts.
Lieutenant Buba Sanneh was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment on one count, 20 years imprisonment on one count, life imprisonment on 4 counts and to death on one count.
Private Njie Modou received life imprisonment on one count and death on two counts.
