Kemeseng Sanneh (Kexx)
Justice Basiru V.P Mahoney has ordered the state law office to file their briefs of argument in the ongoing coup trial involving four (4) soldiers and a policeman.
After filing the briefs, the lawyers for the prosecution and the defence will make their oral arguments, and a date will be fixed for judgment.
The five (5) accused persons are jointly standing five (5) criminal charges, which are two counts of treason, two counts of concealment of treason, and one count of incitement to mutiny. The accused persons are Lance Corporal Sanna Fadera (alleged ringleader), Sergeant Gibril Darboe, Corporal Ebrima Sanno and Sub-Inspector FabakaryJawara (a policeman).
The case came on Friday, 15 September for the continuation of proceedings, but Senior State Counsel Lamin Jarju informed the court that the prosecution wants an extension of time to file their written brief of arguments. The defence lawyers have already filed their briefs and it was the turn of the prosecution to file their briefs. The prosecution could not file the brief within the court’s set time frame. Hence, they made an application for more time to enable them to file the brief.
The application for an extension of time was supported by a 12-paragraph affidavit sworn to by Senior State Counsel Muhammad B. Sowe. The Defence Lawyers did not object to the application by the State for more time.
Justice Mahoney granted the request and ordered the prosecution to submit the brief on or before Wednesday, 20 September 2023.
The case was adjourned to Thursday, 21 September 2023 for the adoption of the briefs of arguments.
