Former KMC Mayor's trial continues

The trial of the former Mayor of the Kanifing Municipality, Abdoulie Conteh alias Lai Conteh, continued yesterday at the Special Criminal Court in Banjul.

At yesterday's proceeding, the defence team led by senior counsel Antouman Gaye informed the court that the Director of Public Prosecutions, Richard Chenge, has not formally replied to the defence's letter.

The presiding judge, Justice Moses Richards, then urged the DPP to reply to the defence's letter to enable the court to decide on the fate of the case. He also urged the defence team to submit the letter and all the necessary ingredients to the court as soon as everything was finalised.

Justice Richards who maintained that "social consideration is fundamental in law," then adjourned the case to 22nd March 2010.

Lai Conteh was earlier arraigned before the Banjul High Court on charges of economic crimes, resisting arrest at Banjul international airport and obstructing police officers in the execution of their duties.

However, he was acquitted by the Banjul High Court, a decision the state appealed against to the Court of Appeal. The Court of Appeal upheld the appeal, and ordered a re-trial.