The Director of Public Prosecutions, S.H. Bakum, yesterday announced that he was taking over from police prosecutor chief inspector Darboe, the case involving 20 accused persons, who were charged with unnatural offence and conspiracy to commit felony, which is before Magistrate Tabally of the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court.
This development followed an application he made under Section 85 of the 1997 constitution.
Bakum further announced that he was together with his colleagues, namely state counsel Ramatoulie Jawara and S. Sankareh.
He told the court he was applying for an adjournment for a fortnight, so that they would familiarize themselves with the case file.
He added that they did not want to rush with the case, and that they needed adequate time.
Bakum added that the accused persons have been granted bail, and further argued that the two-week adjournment should be applied.
Defence counsel Lamin Camara told the court that he was not opposed to adjourning, but said the case should be expedited.
Two weeks’ adjournment was long, and urged the court to make it shorter, adding that the accused persons have a constitutional right to a fair and speedy trial.
Lawyer Badou Conteh added his voice he welcomed the idea of the DPP to adjourn the case so that they could study the case file, adding that one of his clients would be travelling.
Magistrate Tabally however granted the application made by the DPP, since they needed enough time to study the case file.
He therefore adjourned the case till 8 May 2012.Lawyers Badou Conteh, Camara, Sissoho, Hakim and Kombeh Gaye-Coker represented the accused persons.