The
criminal appeal case involving the jailed United Democratic Party leader,
Lawyer Ousainou Darboe, and nineteen others versus the state resumed yesterday
before the Gambia Court of Appeal, presided over by Justice A.O. Adegoke,
Justice Awa Bah and Justice Edrissa Mbai.
The
appellants are Ousainou Darboe, Kemesseng Jammeh, Femi Peters, Lamin Dibba,
Lamin Jatta, Yaya Bah, Babucarr Camara, Fakebba Colley, Ismaila Ceesay, Momodou
Fatty, Dodou Ceesay, Samba Kinteh, Momodou Manneh, Nfamara Kuyateh, Fanta
Darboe, Lamin Njie, Junkuna Suso, Momodou L.K. Sanneh, Yaya Jammeh and Masanneh
Lalo Jawla.
It
would be recalled that the appellants were jailed for three years last July by
the High Court in Banjul, after they were convicted for unlawful assembly,
holding a procession without a permit, conspiracy, and riot, among others.
During
the court sitting yesterday, lawyer A.A.B. Gaye told the court that the
appellants had filed a motion dated 24 October 2016, seeking to consolidate the
individual appellants appeal, adding that the DPP had been served.
In
his reply, DPP S.H. Barkum informed the court that the state was not opposing
the motion to consolidate the appellants’ appeal, thus acknowledged receipt of
the said motion.
In
her ruling, the president of the Gambia Court of Appeal, Justice A.O. Adegoke,
adjourned the matter until 5 December 2016, for proof of service and ordering
of briefs.
She
pointed out that the principal registrar is mandated to prepare the appeal, and
be given a number accordingly.
Ousainou
Darboe, who was dressed in a blue kaftan, was cheered by family members and
supporters, shouting “animbara...animbara…nyancho,” as he stepped out of the
courtroom.
