By Rohey Jadama
The Gambia Court of Appeal has yesterday, 16 June, adjourned the bail
appeal of Mrs. Fatoumatta Jawara, the chairperson of the female
youth wing of the United Democratic Party (UDP), and 24 others for
the adoption of briefs, after ordering both the defence and the prosecution to file their briefs.
The 25 appellants namely, Lamin Sonko, Modou Touray, Lasana Beyai, Lamin Marong, Alagie Fatty, Nogoi Njie, Fatoumatta Jawara, Fatou Camara, Kafu Bayo, Ebrima Jabang and Modou Ngum and Kalilou Saidykhan, Bubacarr Gitteh, Baba Ceesay, Ebrima Janko Ceesay, Lamin Camara, Alagie Jammeh, Lamin Jatta, Ebrima Jadama, Pa Ousman Njie, Kekuta Yarbo, Bubacarr Jah, Muhammed Jawneh, Babucarr Touray and Sagan Secka, are appealing against the bail ruling of Justice O. Ottaba of the Special Criminal Division of the Banjul High Court.
However, the appellants were not present in court.
When the case was called before a panel of 3 judges comprising justices Edrissa Fafa M’bai, president, Awa Bah and O.A. Adogoke, lawyers Amie Bensouda, Neneh Cham, Musa Bachily and Combeh Gaye announced their representation for the appellants, while Hadi Saleh Barkun, the Director of Public Prosecutions, and state counsel B. Jeng appeared for the state.
Lawyer Bensouda informed the court that the records are ready and
that the state has been served with a copy. She further said
that if the court is inclined to order briefs, they will file theirs on Tuesday the 21st of June, 2016.
At this juncture, the DPP was asked by Justice Adogoke to confirm
service and the DPP responded that he has been served.
The DPP further told the court that he needs seven days to file after
service. The defence, however, requested for three days to file their
reply on points of law.
In her ruling, Justice Adogoke said the appellants are given five days
to file and the respondent seven to file after service and three days
to the appellants to reply on points of law.
The panel unanimously adjourned the case to Monday, 11 July, 2016 for
adoption of briefs.
