Femi Peters Sent To Mile Two

Femi Peters, the Campaign Manager of the opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) was yesterday sent to Mile 2 Central Prison by a magistrate court in Banjul.

Mr. Peters, who was in court without his lawyer, pleaded not guilty to two-count charges of "control of procession and control of loud speaker" pressed against him.

The particulars of offence on count one states that Mr. Peters on 24thOctober2009, after failing to obtain permission from the Inspector-General of Police proceeded to hold a political rally in Serrekunda Central, and on count two it states that the same day and time he used a loud speaker to be heard in a public place without the written consent of the Inspector-General of Police.

When the case was called, Prosecutor Inspector Fadera told the court that the prosecution was ready to proceed with the case as their witnesses were in court.

At that juncture, Magistrate Emmanuel Nkea asked the accused whether he would represent himself hence his counsel was not in court.In response, he replied in the negative, adding that he would wait for his Counsel.

Subsequently, he was remanded in custody and the case adjourned to today.

The Magistrate maintained that the court had protected the rights of the accused by waiting for his counsel to come to the court.He told the court that the counsel came to the court in the morning and asked for a stand-down till 11.00 am, but failed to turn up as agreed.