The
adoption of briefs in the case involving 14 supporters of the United Democratic
Party (UDP) was yesterday delayed due to the late serving of briefs from the
prosecution.
The
accused persons are Bakary Jammeh, Kaddy Samateh, Lele Bojang, Alkali Sanneh,
Yaya Fatty, Muhammed Singhateh, Kemo Touray, Bakary Marong, Buba Mass, Alagie
Saidykhan, Tombong Njie, Modou Sarr, Sheriff Suma and Lamin Dampha.
They
are being tried on seven counts of conspiracy to commit felony, unlawful
assembly, riot, incitement of violence, interfering with vehicle, holding a
procession without a permit, and disobeying an order to disperse, which they
all denied.
The
case is before Justice Otaba of the Special Criminal Division of the Banjul
High Court.
Lawyer
Hawa Sisay-Sabally, the lead defence counsel for the accused persons, informed
the court that the matter was slated for adoption of briefs, but they were
served with the respondent’s brief in court.
She
continued: “We need to file our reply on points of law, and I am asking for up
to Monday to file.”
There
was no objection from state counsel B. Jaiteh, but he applied for the
substantive matter to be adjourned until 17 October 2016.
“The
procedure in this jurisdiction is when a pending application is before the
court, it is dealt with and disposed of before date is taken. My application is
to be given time till Monday to file a reply on points of law; so date cannot
be taken,” submitted barrister Sisay-Sabally.
In
his ruling, Justice Otaba gave the applicants time until Monday 17 October
2016, to file their reply on points of law and serve the respondent.
He
further ruled that hearing of the substantive matter would begin in earnest
after the ruling on the application.
The
case was adjourned until 18 October 2016, at 1pm, for adoption of briefs.
