By Kebba Jeffang
The Deputy Director General of the Gambia Radio and Television
Services (GRTS) on Thursday, 30th April, 2015 testified in the trial involving Sheikh Muhideen Hydara and Buyeh Touray, the Caliph General and the former Alkalo of Darsilami Sangajor respectively after which the defence counsel closed their case.When the case was called at Brikama Magistrates’ Court before
Magistrate Ebrima Jaiteh, the state was represented by Chief Inspector
Camara and Sub Inspector Ebrima Sarr whilst Lawyers Antouman Gaye and
Lamin K. Mboge appeared for the accused persons.
Counsel Gaye reminded the new magistrate who was just presiding over
the case for the first time that they have earlier subpoenaed the
Director General of the state broadcaster. He said the purpose of his
invitation is for him to produce the audio cassette containing the
purported announcement concerning Edul-Fitr prayer that was held late
last July, 2014. He said the witness will also testify as to what he
knows about the case.
Lawyer Gaye further applied for adjournment on the basis
that the material should be better listened to by the magistrate. He
added that the adjournment will also give them the opportunity to talk
to their witness before he testifies.
However the trial magistrate ruled that the matter can still
proceed with the testimony of the witness and then he can go through the
material later. He said the matter can be stood down for the defence
to have discussion with their witness and the matter can proceed
later.
In testifying, the witness identified himself as Bai Baboucarr
Sanyang. He said he is the deputy director general of GRTS. He said he
lives in Wellingara , Kombo North in the West Coast Region, adding that
his occupation is telecom engineer. He said the court subpoenaed the
DG but he has travelled outside the country and asked him to step in
on his behalf.
“I brought the materials that he was asked to bring and they include
the recording of a video and the written form. The written form is the
transcription of the video recording and they are both originals. The
transcription has been signed and stamped by myself. They are stored
in the archive of GRTS,” said Sanyang.
Counsel Gaye applied to tender both documents (video recording and the
transcription).
There was no objection from the prosecution regarding the tendering of the
said documents.
The court therefore admitted the video recording and the
transcription as Exhibits D1 and D2.
Mr. Sanyang concluded that the transcription reads:
‘Translation of Panel on Idul Fitr’ adding that the panelists were
Cherno Darbo, Momodou Lamin Touray, Sheikh Sheriff Malick Bajan,
Oustass Momodou Jallow, Sheikh Ebrima Jarju and Sheikh Ebrima Jagana.
The defence team led by Lawyer Gaye at this juncture announced the
closure of their case.
The matter was then adjourned till 11 May, 2015 for address by the
defence at 1pm.]]>
