Defence absence retards ex-igp Badjie's robbery trial

The trial of the former Inspector General of Police, Ensa Badjie, and Chief Superintendent of Prison Ali Ceesay yesterday failed to proceed at the special criminal court in Banjul due to the absence of the defence counsel, BS Touray.

Ensa Badjie and Ali Ceesay are facing various counts ranging from conspiracy to commit a felony, robbery with violence, receiving stolen property, aiding and abetting, robbery, conspiracy to commit misdemeanour, aiding prisoner to escape, official corruption, conspiracy to defeat justice and interference with witnesses, deceiving witnesses, offences relating to judicial proceeding, and using criminal charms, among others.

Yesterday's court proceedings was meant for the commencement of cross- examination of the ninth prosecution witness, Dodou Janneh, by defence counsel BS Touray.

The accused persons were present in court, as well as the state prosecutor and his witness.

Principal state prosecutor S.H. Barkun, who appeared for the state, told the court that the defence counsel had informed him that he had spoken to the judge that he could not make it to the court.

He said the prosecution did not object to the application for an adjournment.

Justice Ikpala then adjourned the case till 11th November 2010.

So far, the prosecution has called 10 witnesses to testify in the case including Soriba Condeh, the star witness, Amadou Jallow, Salieu Baldeh, Muhammed Darboe, both convicts, and Patch Jallow, ex-deputy NDEA chief, superintendent Landing Bojang, Tony Baba Khan, proprietor of City Pub Bar and Restaurant, Fatou Joto Mendy, and Dodou Janneh, a murder convict, among others.