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Tamba, Fofana appeals adjourned for adoption of briefs

Nov 12, 2014, 10:00 AM | Article By: Halimatou Ceesay

Lawyers representing ex-chief of defence staff Lt. Gen. Lang Tombong Tamba, and rear admiral Sarjo Fofana, former head of the Gambia Navy, Tuesday filed their briefs and a motion for adoption at the Supreme Court in Banjul before the panel of judges headed by the Chief Justice.

When the case was called, defence counsel Sheriff Marie Tambedou said he had filed a brief together with a motion on 10 November 2014.

Lawyer LK Mboge said he had also filed his witness statements.

DPP Barkhum said he was not objecting to the motion, but needed 21 days to file his reply.

The Chief Justice then said both cases will be consolidated and granted DPP 21 days to file his reply on both applications, to which the other parties did not object.

Tamba and Fofana were sentenced on count one, which was conspiracy to commit treason, to 20 years in prison and on count two, which was treason, to another 20 years in prison.

Lang Tombong Tamba was also sentenced to 10 years imprisonment on count three, for concealment of treason, and on count four, for concealment of treason, to another 10 years imprisonment.

The two former Gambia armed forces senior officers were charged with conspiracy to commit treason, treason, and two counts of concealment of treason.

The particulars of offence in count one stated that Lt. General Tamba and Sarjo Fofana, between January and 21 March 2006 conspired with Colonel Ndure Cham and others now at large, to stage a coup and overthrow the President and the democratically-elected government of The Gambia by force of arms.

Count two alleged that Lt. General Tamba and Sarjo Fofana, between January and 21 March 2006 endeavoured to stage a coup and overthrow the President and the democratically-elected government of The Gambia by force of arms.

Count three stated that Lt. General Tamba, between January and 21 March 2006, knowing that Colonel Ndure Cham, Sarjo Fofana and others now at large intended to stage a coup and overthrow the President and the democratically-elected government of The Gambia, did not give information within all reasonable time to a minister, magistrate or a police officer.

Count four stated that Lt. General Tamba, between January and 21 March 2006, knowing that Colonel Ndure Cham, Sarjo Fofana and others now at large intended to stage a coup and overthrow the President and the democratically-elected government of The Gambia, did not take reasonable and necessary steps to prevent the commission of the offence.