The
economic crime case involving 10 GNPC officials failed to proceed yesterday
before Justice O. Ottaba of the Special Criminal Court in Banjul due to the
continuing detention of the 3rd accused person, Fafa Sanyang, at the NIA.
When
the case was called, the Director of Public Prosecutions, S.H. Barkun, appeared
for the state alongside deputy DPP M.B. Abubacarr, A. Yakubu, M. Koita and S.K.
Jobe.
Counsel
M.A. Samba, S. Taal, L.S. Camara, E. Sanneh, E. Gomez, L. Farage, B.S. Touray
and B. Bouye represented the defendants.
L.S.
Camara then said: “My client was granted bail by this honourable court, but he
is still with the National Intelligence Agency.”
The
DPP then said the matter was slated for mention.
The
trial judge then asked him about the 3rd accused person, Fafa Sanyang.
DPP
said he was told by counsel for the 3rd accused that the accused was with the
NIA, and that by virtue of section 24 sub (3f) they could not proceed with the
matter.
He
said he did not know the source of counsel’s information, and that he would ask
for a stand down to find out if Fafa Sanyang was with the NIA or any other
agency.
The
trial judge said he was “frowning” at the DPP’s application for a stand-down.
Counsel
L. Farage said she did not understand why they are talking about the
stand-down, because even if the accused was brought the case could not proceed
because he had to consult with his counsel.
She
said rather than wasting the time of the court, they thought it prudent to ask
for some time.
The
DPP said he would endeavour to serve notice to the NIA about the 3rd accused
person.
The
trial judge said the accused was absent, and they could not proceed without him
being present in court.
The
case continues on 20 October 2016, at 1p.m, for mention.
