UDP SIX TRIAL: THREE DISCHARGED, ONE ISSUED A BENCH WARRANT

By Saikou Suwareh Jabai

Principal Magistrate Hilary U.  Abeke of the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court has yesterday, 19 July, 2016, granted the request of the state prosecutors to withdraw the charges and discharge the 1^st (Isatou Saidy), 5^th (Fatoumatta Sarr) and 6^th (Amie Touray) accused persons of the six women of the United Democratic Party (UDP) who were standing trial.

Abeke also transferred the case of the 2^nd (Kaddy Samateh) and 3^rd (Lele Bojang) to the high court and issued a bench warrant to the 4^th accused person (Sukai Dahaba) who has been absent in the past court proceedings. These rulings came following a request made by the state counsel.

Sheriff  Kumba  Jobe and Assiatou Sambou represented the state while the accused persons were represented by M. A. Jobe.

When the case was called, the state counsel Sheriff Kumba Jobe, said they tried to trace the surety of the 4^th (Sukai Dahaba) accused, Mamudou Dahaba, but to no avail. He said they could not identify his home in Latrikunda German and that his phone is unreachable.

“Sometime last week, they were before the high court on a similar matter where the 2^nd (Kaddy Samateh) and 3^rd (Lele Bojang) accused persons are involved. The high court made an order for the 2^nd and 3^rd accused persons to be transferred to the high court to face similar charges. I was reliably informed that this same court was served the same order,” he said.

In addition, the state counsel said they intend to withdraw the charges against the 1^st (Isatou Saidy), 5^th (Fatoumatta Sarr) and 6^th (Amie Touray) accused persons. He therefore urged the court to grant their application by discharging the three named accused suspects.

He applied for the court to issue a bench warrant for the arrest of the 4^th accused person so that the bail she is enjoying will cease. This, he added, is for the interest of justice as she has not been appearing in court even though the bail she has orders her to be present whenever she is needed by the court.

Principal Magistrate Hilary U.  Abeke confirmed that the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court received the letter of the high court and therefore transferred the case of the 2^nd (Kaddy Samateh) and 3^rd (Lele Bojang) accused persons to the high court as ordered. He said he would issue a bench warrant for the 4^th (Sukai Dahaba) accused person and her surety and finally discharged the1^st (Isatou Saidy), 5^th (Fatoumatta Sarr) and 6^th (Amie Touray) accused persons.

He adjourned the case until the 4^th accused person or her surety is arrested.