By Mamadou Dem
Ebrima B Njie and Edrisa Manga, both prison wardens, were yesterday, 22 June 2016, arraigned before Principal Magistrate Omar Cham of the lower court in Banjul for allegedly aiding journalist Abdoulie Ceesay to escape from lawful custody.
The duo, on the first count, is charged with ‘Aiding prisoner to escape contrary to section 109 (b) and Negligence of official duty contrary to section 113 of the Criminal Code Revised Laws of The Gambia, 2009’.
According to the particulars of offence, the two accused persons, on the 19th April, 2016 at Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital (EFSTH) in Banjul within the jurisdiction of this court, while on duty, negligently permited Abdoulie Ceesay to escape from their lawful custody and thereby committed an offence.
On the second count, the state alleges that both accused persons on the same day and year at Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital (EFSTH) in Banjul within the jurisdiction of the court, while on duty, willfully neglected to perform their duties to wit: keep custody of one Abdoulie Ceesay and thereby committed an offence.
They both pleaded guilty as charged. However, the state prosecutor, Kumba Mbaye, applied for an adjournment on the grounds that she was not the actual prosecutor in the case.
Consequently, the matter was adjourned to 27th June for the prosecution to narrate the facts of the case.
Both accused persons were unrepresented by counsel at the commencement of the case.
