By Kebba Jeffang
The police prosecution team represented by Saja Sanyang on Wednesday, September 07, 2016 applied to file a new indictment with new names including Mr. John Belford, the former Judicial Secretary of the High Court thus increasing the total number of accused persons to 30, after charges were withdrawn against 17 others earlier in the trial.
This proceeding was before Principal Magistrate Omar Cham of the Banjul Magistrates’ Court.
However, the accused persons are yet to take their plea on the new bill of indictment as the case was adjourned for the prosecution to put its house in order.
The accused persons who are government officials and standing trial on the fresh charge filed by the police prosecutors included Abdoulie Jallow, Aussainou Jobarteh, Dr Cherno Omar Barry, Abdoulie K.M. Jallow, Lamin Camara, Lamin Sanneh, Tijan Jeng, Jerreh Sanyang, Malang Jammeh, Momodou Lamin Jammeh, Lamin Sisey, Masaikou M. Marong, John Belford, Yaya Drammeh, Ebrima Sanneh, Sambou Nget, Kebba Faal, Nfamara Dampha, Lamin Mai Touray, Lamin Juwara, Saikou Sidibeh, Siaka Saidyleigh, Momodou C. Joof, Alieu Jammeh, Abdoulie M. Cham, Morro Krubally, Kantong Jallow, Buba Sanyang and Kebba S. Touray.
The accused persons who were discharged at the last hearing included Kaiding Sambou, Bernard Mendy, Cherno Njie, Yira Jammeh, Abdoulie T.B. Jarra, Aminata Semega Janneh, Abdoulie Jallow, Fafa Sanyang, Fatoumatta Bah, Momodou Saidyleigh, Aja Fatou Gaye, Habib T.B. Jarra, Lamin Sisey, Naffie Barry, Famara Darboe, Roheyatou Kah and Sanna Gassama.
Meanwhile, the matter was, at this juncture, adjourned to 21st September, 2016 for the accused to answer to the charges preferred against them.
It could be recalled that ASP Almameh Manga last week applied for the discharge of seventeen top officials comprising permanent secretaries, directors and drivers from various departments on the basis that the prosecution intended to amend charges in order to file fresh a bill of indictment pursuant to Section 169[1] of the Criminal Procedure Code which was granted by the court.
However, none of the discharged persons is listed in the new indictment.
