The
adoption of written addresses slated for yesterday before Justice E.O. Dada of
the Banjul High Court, in the economic crime case involving former Works
Minister Ousman Badjie, was delayed due to the illness of the lead defence
counsel in the case.
When
the matter was mentioned for adoption of written addresses, the state
represented by A.M. Yusuph informed the court that they had filed their
address, but they did not receive the defence address.
In
response, defence counsel A. Fatty said: “My lord, the defence received the
prosecution’s address on 14 July 2016. Counsel Camara who is the lead counsel
in this matter was in Mansakonko before the Mansakonko High Court, at the time
the defence was served with the prosecution’s address.
“Mr
Camara had been taken ill and for that reason he could not be in court today.
It is our intention, my lord, that we file the defence address on Monday and we
seek the indulgence of the court to allow the defence to do so on Monday.
“My
lord, if I may add my deep and sincere apology to the court for the defence
delay in filing the address.”
The
trial judge then decided to grant leave to the defence, and the defence was
ordered to file their address on or before Monday 25 July 2016.
The
case was adjourned until 27 July 2016, at 3:30 p.m.
