By Rohey Jadama
The Gambia Court of Appeal has yesterday 11 July, 2016 adjourned the bail appeal of Mrs. Fatoumatta Jawara, the chairperson of the
female youth wing of United Democratic Party and 24 others to 26 July for ruling.
The 25 appellants namely 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, Sagan Secka , Lamin Sonko, Modou Touray, Lasana Beyai, Lamin Marong, Alagie Fatty, Nogoi Njie, Fatoumatta Jawara, Fatou Camara, Kafu Bayo, Ebrima Jabang, Modou Ngum and Kalilou Saidykhan are against the bail ruling of Justice O. Ottaba of the Special Criminal Division of the Banjul High Court that denied them bail.
When the case was called before a panel of 3 judges, namely Justices
Edrissa Fafa M’bai, Justices Awa Bah and Justice O. A. Adogoke, Lawyer Yassin Seneghore announced her representation for all
the appellants and told the court that the appellants are absent and
that they are in the custody of the state.
Defence counsel Seneghore, at this juncture applied to adopt the
appellant’s briefs of argument filed on the 21 of June, 2016. She
further urged the court to admit the appellants to bail.
However, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Barkun, argued that he thought the defence counsel will bring it to the notice of the court that 14 out of the 25 appellants were released. He further told the court that he did not see the necessity for their appeal when they are released and discharged from the case. At this stage he went
through the names of the 14 people who were released.
Replying to the DPP, Lawyer Seneghore told the court that they are
aware that some of the appellants were released but, how they were
released and the conditions of their release is not known to them.
She said for the purpose of the records,it is not the court below that
released the 14 appellants.
The DPP told the court that the 14 people were released on the 15
of June, 2016 but before he could finish talking Justice Awa Bah
interjected and asked the DPP how come they were released on the 15 June because on the 16 of June they were in court and that they
ordered for filing of briefs.
The DPP responded that they have problem with communication. He
further told the court that the 14 people were released by Justice
Abi of Mansakonko High Court. However, when the DPP was asked by
Justice Bah whether he has the copy of the order releasing the 14
appellants he responded in the negative.
While adjourning the case to 26 July, 2016 for ruling, Justice
Adogoke said the briefs of both parties are adopted and she further
said it is in the interest of justice for the copy of the order releasing the 14 be furnished to the court before the next adjourned date.
