Bench warrant for Police Chief Inspector

Magistrate Nkea of the Brikama Magistrates' Court yesterday issued a bench warrant for the arrest of Chief Inspector Famara Sanneh, the second prosecution witness in the trial of 86 accused persons from the villages of Giboro and Gidda.

The 86 accused persons are being tried on charges of conspiracy to commit a felony, disobedience to lawful order and threatening violence.

This development arose following the application made by Lawyer Borry Touray, one of the defence counsel representing the accused persons.

According to defence counsel Touray, on the last adjournment date it was agreed that the case would proceed even in the absencce of the defence counsel. He submitted that the witness should have earlier informed the court that he had another matter to testify at the high court.

He said he was, therefore, applying for a bench warrant for the arrest of Chief Inspector Famara Sanneh for, as he put it, the prosecution witness did not advance any reason before the court for his absence and, as a police, should know better.

The prosecutor, Inspector Fadara earlier on told the court that he was applying for an adjournment on the grounds that he just received the case file and needed time to familarise himself with the case.

He informed the court that it was his understanding that Chief Inspector Famara Sanneh, the second prosecution witness, was suppose to be in court for the continuation of cross examination, but was at the high court to testify in another matter.

The case was adjourned to 16 March 2010.