The criminal trial involving Dr. Isatou Touray, the Executive Director of the Gambia Committee on Traditional Practices Affecting the Health of Women and Children (Gamcotrap) and Amie Bojang-Sisoho, programme co-ordinator of the same organisation, yesterday failed to proceed before acting-Principal Magistrate Taiwo Ade Alagba of the Banjul Magistrates’ Court.
The two women’s rights activists are being tried for allegedly stealing 30,000 Euros being money provided by the YALOCAMBA SOLIDARIDAD based in the
When the case was called, the defence counsel, Lamin K. Mboge, told the court that the case was supposed to resume for the accused persons to open their defence, following the court ruling.
He added that the leading defence counsel Amie Bensouda was engaged at the High Court, and she had written to the court that she would be at the court by 1 pm.
“It is after 1 pm, but still she was not in court. I communicated with her, and asked if we could adjourn the case till Friday 1 June 2011,” he said.
Mboge said that counsel Bensouda was the one who was leading the trial, and it would be proper and favourable to the accused person in the case for her to continue leading the accused persons in their defence.
The defence had communicated to the prosecution, and they have no objection to the defence application for adjournment, Mboge continued.
“I personally could not lead the accused persons in their defence, as sometimes I do not come to court when the case comes up due to my busy schedules,” he added.
The case was subsequently adjourned till 8 July 2011.