The Special Criminal Court in Banjul yesterday urged the state prosecutors to file a bill of indictment in the economic crime case involving one Muhammed Mbye.
The accused, Muhammed Mbye, was earlier arraigned at the lower court, charged with economic crime and had his case transferred to the Special Criminal Court since on 15 July 2013.
When the matter was called, Justice Nkea asked whether the accused person had taken his plea.
At that juncture, the defence counsel, Moses B. Johnson Richard, told the court that there was nothing before the court, adding that he had earlier made an application for the accused person to be discharged.
He stated that the accused person’s right had been violated on four occasions since the state could not file a charge against the accused, and the movement of the accused was being restricted as bail was hanging over his head.
He then urged the court to discharge the accused until such time that the state was ready.
In response, the state counsel, AM Yusuf, told the court that the application was uncalled for as the accused was charged with economic crime at the lower court and the matter was later transferred to the High Court.
They are working on the file, he said and urged the court to disregard the application.
The judge then adjourned the case till 18 November 2013, for the state to file their bill of indictment on or before that date.
He said if the state should fail to do so, he would strike out the case for want of diligent prosecution.