Magistrate
Omar Cham of the Banjul Magistrates’ Court yesterday warned the prosecutor in
the trial involving Tina Faal to proceed with the case on the next adjournment
date.
This
followed the application made by the prosecutor to adjourn the case.
When
the case was called, the police prosecutor, Sarja Sanyang, told the court he
was representing the IGP.
Lawyer
Combeh Gaye rose and said she was representing the accused.
The
prosecutor then applied for an adjournment, saying he did not have the
adjournment date, which was on 22 August 2016, in his diary, adding that the
case was supposed to proceed on 18 August 2016, for hearing.
He
stated that he knew in the morning of 22 August 2016 that the case was coming
up on the very day.
Prosecutor
Sanyang further stated that his witness was not available, which was why he was
applying for an adjournment.
Defence
counsel Gaye stood up and told the court that the reasons given by the
prosecutor to adjourn the case were not genuine.
She
said that on 18 August 2016, the matter was set for hearing, but the court did
not sit.
She
further stated that she made an effort to liaise with the clerk for a date,
which was 22 August 2016.
She
argued that the prosecution witness works in Banjul, and was aware of the
adjournment date.
She
then urged the court to discharge the accused, as the accused is being
detained.
Prosecutor
Sanyang also said he was applying for an adjournment under section 69 of the
CPC, but did not intend to waste the time of the court.
He
stated that he was sick, adding that he maintained his position on the accused
person’s condition.
Magistrate
Cham ruled that he would not discharge the accused, but warned the prosecutor
to proceed with the case at the next adjournment date.
The
case was subsequently adjourned for hearing today.
