The Banjul Magistrates’ Court yesterday issued an arrest warrant for Nanama Keita, former Sports Editor at the Daily Observer Company, for him to be brought before the court to show why his bail condition should not be revoked by the court.
The arrest warrant was issued, following an application made by the prosecution, after the accused, Nanama Keita, was absent from the court’s proceedings without notifying the court.
When the case was first called in court, sergeant Manga told the court that he was holding brief for the police prosecutor, who was not in court at the time.
In response, defence counsel, Naneh Cham, told the court that her client was absent from court, noting that this was the first time her client was absent, since the case started.
She added that, as a result, she was applying for an adjournment to any day convenient for the court.
The case was subsequently adjourned to 26th September 2011.
After the case was adjourned, and the defence counsel left the court, the prosecuting officer, Superintendent Joof, walked into the court room, and the case was recalled.
The prosecutor notified the court that the case was adjourned for hearing to continue, but the prosecution has got information that the accused person was out of the jurisdiction.
He pointed out that the prosecution was applying for a bench warrant to be issued for the arrest of the accused person, and for him to be brought before the court to face trial.
The application was granted by the court, and a bench warrant was accordingly issued for the arrest of Keita.
According to the charges, Nanama Keita, it was alleged, in May this year presented a petition letter to the Office of the President at State House, claiming wrongful dismissal as deputy editor in chief and head of sports desk, as well as financial malpractices by the managing director of Daily Observer Newspaper Company, knowing same information to be false.
