Following the application made earlier by Sergeant 3560 Colley before
Magistrate Tabally of the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court, to stand down the case
on 23 December 2014, for the state to take over the case, the state counsel on
7 January 2015 announced that the state has taken over the case.
The trial involves Oumie Saffiatou Jallow, Sheikh Dawda York, Ebrima Kebbeh, Demba Sowe, Kemo Fatty and Alpha Kanteh, who were charged with conspiracy and obtaining money by false pretence.
The state prosecutor added that the state will file some documents at the High Court for the case to be transferred there, and applied for the case to be transferred.
Counsel argued that there was an additional charge of economic crime, and that it is the High Court that has the jurisdiction to hear such charges.
Defence lawyer Batchilly told the court that the same application was made by the police prosecutor ASP Mballow for the case to be transferred to the high court, because of the additional charge of economic crime.
The court had already made a ruling, and struck out the economic crime charge, he further stated.
The defence was making the same objection for the case to be transferred to the high court, he added.
Defence lawyer Moses Richards associated himself with the application made by Batchilly.
He argued that the case has already started, and it would be a waste of time and state resources for the case to be transferred to the high court to be reheard.
The case was adjourned to 14 January 2015, for ruling.
