The
criminal charge against Ebrima Jawara, Alasan Bah, Sulayman Manneh and Hassan
Jallow was yesterday withdrawn by the state at the High Court in Banjul,
presided over by Hon. Justice Zainab Jawara Alami.
During
yesterday’s sitting, state counsel L. Jarju informed the court that the State
had filed a nolle prosequi in respect of the case, in accordance with section
85 (1) (c) of the constitution and section 64 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
He
applied that the case be discontinued accordingly.
Lawyer
C. E. Mene, the lead defence counsel informed the court that he has no
objection to the state’s application, whilst lawyer H. Sisay-Sabally also
informed the court that she also has no objection but requested that an order
be made to discharge the sureties of the defendants.
In
her ruling, Justice Zainab Jawara Alami summarized the charges the accused
persons were charged with and the relevant laws under which they are
punishable.
She
stated the relevant sections of the constitution and criminal procedure code
dealing with nolle prosequi and then proceeded to discharge the 4 accused
persons as well as their bail sureties.
The
state was represented by L. Jarju, whilst Ebrima Jawara was represented by C.E.
Mene and M. Drammeh, Alasan Bah was represented by H. Sisay-Sabally, S. Gaye
appeared for Sulayman Manneh and Hassan Jallow was represented by P. Gomez, who
held brief for lawyer A.J. Njie.
