(Wednesday July 20, 2016 Issue)
The
Banjul High Court presided over by Justice E.O. Dada is today expected to
deliver judgment in the sedition trial involving Taranga FM Managing Director,
Alajie Abdoulie Ceesay.
The
accused was being tried on a seven-count charge of seditious intention, which
he denied.
The
prosecution in proving their case called four witnesses. PW2 Fatou A. Drammeh
gave evidence in court, but the defence counsel did not finish cross-examining
her when she was said to be out of the jurisdiction by the DPP.
The
judge, however, ruled that he would admit her evidence, but the weight to be
attached to it would be determined at the end of the trial.
The
accused was denied bail three times by the High Court presided over by Justice
Abi and Balarabe.
At
the closure of the prosecution’s case, the defence made it known to the court
that they intended to file a no-case-to-answer submission.
The
accused through his defence lawyers filed a no-case-to-answer submission before
Justice Abi of the Banjul High Court, arguing that their client has no case to
answer.
Delivering
his ruling, the trial Judge, Justice Abi, said: “I have reviewed the evidence
before me and submissions made by both counsel, and I am convinced that the
prosecution has laid a prima facie case against the accused for him to offer an
explanation. I, therefore, overrule the no-case-to-answer submission and call
on the accused to enter his defence.”
After
the no-case-to-answer submission had been dismissed and the accused called on
to enter defence, his lawyer Combeh Gaye said: “We have reviewed the evidence
in this case. The accused has opted not to give evidence in this case based on
his rights to remain silent.”
She
said, however, they have one witness coming from abroad to tender a document,
but the witness was never brought before the court.
“It
is our humble application for this matter to be adjourned to enable the witness
to be present in court,” she said.
At
the next adjournment date, counsel Gaye announced they had informed the court
they intended to call a witness, but the witness was out of the court’s
jurisdiction”.
“Unfortunately,
the witness is not here as expected and, in view of the circumstance, I have no
choice but to close the defense case and urge the court to proceed to address.”
The
case was then proceeded to address.
During
the last adjournment date, the trial judge, Justice E.O. Dada, who inherited
the case from Justice Abi, who was transferred to Mansakonko, said the
continuation of the trial in the absence of the accused person was lawful, and
adopted the prosecution’s written address and the accused person’s written
address was also deemed filed.
She
then adjourned the case for judgment today at 3:30 p.m.
