The ex-Inspector General of Police, Ensa Badjie, yesterday wept openly in court when the criminal trial involving him and Chief Superintendent of Prison Ali Ceesay was adjourned.
Justice Ikpala of the Special Criminal Court adjourned the case to today, because defence counsel BS Touray was not in court.
The ex-police chief wept in the courtroom, after the deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, Mikailu Abdullahi, objected to his (Ensa Badjie's) application for an adjournment to allow his counsel to be present in court.
When the case was called at 1 pm, the 1st accused person (Ensa Badjie) told the court that his counsel was not in court, adding that this was the first time his counsel has been absent.
Consequently, the case was stood down for 30 minutes. But when Justice Ikpala re-emerged from his chambers, BS Touray was still not in court, and the 1st accused again informed the court that his counsel was still absent. Ensa Badjie then applied for an adjournment.
State prosecutors led by the deputy DPP objected to the application on the grounds that the prosecution was ready to proceed with their fifth witness, and that he was already in court.
However, the trial judge granted Ensa Badjie's application, and adjourned the case for hearing to continue today.
It would be recalled that the accused persons were indicted and arraigned on various counts, such as 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.
