The
trial of 15 supporters of the opposition United Democratic Party (UDP)
yesterday commenced at the Special Criminal Court of the Banjul High Court.
The
trial commenced with the testimony of the first prosecution witness, who was
part of the arresting team of the accused persons.
When
the matter was called, state counsel B. Jaiteh represented the state, whilst
lawyers comprising Anna Njie, Amie Jobe and Yasin Senghore represented the
accused persons.
Counsel
Njie then reminded the court that there were orders made by the court, during
the last adjournment date, which were not complied with, including accessing
the accused persons in remand custody at Mile 2 prison by family members.
She
said the court also made an order to allow the accused persons to change
clothes, adding that the accused persons were in court with the same clothes.
She
also submitted that “lawyers are facing difficulties” in getting in touch with
their clients, to enable them to have interviews with them.
Lawyer
Njie further said that, due to this, the defence could not file bail
applications due to lack of crucial information from the accused persons.
She
said they were given the chance once, but the time allocated was too short and
they could not talk to many accused persons.
At
this point, the trial judge called the prison officer to tell the court why
family members were not given access to meet their loved ones.
Officer
Kalifa Bojang informed the court that “family members are denied”, because they
normally come when the visiting time was closed.
Counsel
Senghore also informed the court that they were not still served with the
voluntary, cautionary and witness statements by the prosecution.
However,
the state counsel said he would serve the defence.
Testifying
as the first prosecution witness (PW1), the witness identified himself as
Sub-Inspector Alagie Touray of Wellingara and a police officer attached to the
Police Intervention Unit in Kanifing.
He
recognised the accused persons and could recall what happened on 9 May 2016,
adding that he was on duty at the PIU base at around 4: 08pm when their
commanding officer, Superintendent Saine, informed them about a mass of people
marching from Banjul Highway towards Serekunda end.
They
left as a team, including their OC, for the Ice Man Junction where they met a
lot of people, he said.
“The
crowd was blocking the highway, insulting and shouting,” he told the court.
“Our OC told them to stop what they were doing, as it was not in line with the
laws of The Gambia, but they refused.”
He
again told them to leave and go about their business, but they refused.
The
traffic was blocked for passersby, and they (the PIU officers) were then
instructed to arrest them for police action, the witness further stated.
At
this juncture, the trial judge ordered the prosecution to serve the defence
with the voluntary, cautionary statements, and all other necessary documents
needed in the matter, before the next adjournment date.
