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Trial of Government Theft Case Delayed Again

Apr 25, 2008, 5:30 AM | Article By: By Modou Sanyang & Bakary Samateh

The trial of Manlafi Sanyang, Lt. Bakary Camara and Domenico Fedelish could not proceed yesterday before Senior Magistrate Kayode of the Banjul Magistrates Court due to the absence of the prosecution witness.

Ex-Superintendent Manlafi Sanyang, Logistics Officer State House, Lt. Bakary Camara, former bodyguard to the President and Domenico Fedelish were alleged to have stolen government vehicle BJL4063B Sanyong Korando.

When the case was called yesterday, the police prosecutor informed the court that he had already issued a subpoena to the witness but that the witness had called to say that he was engaged in an official duty and could not come to court.

Meanwhile the defense counsel, Lamin Camara, filed an application for the court to revisit the bail condition granted to the 1st accused, Manlafi Sanyang, since the progress of the proceeding is too slow. He argued that the issue of the bail condition could be reviewed at any stage of the proceedings since the court has inherent jurisdiction to revisit it.

Lawyer Camara further informed the court that in almost two months since his clients were arrested and arraigned before the court, they have been detained for all the time except only a week at the state central prison in Mile 2. He therefore urged the court to review the bail condition of the 1st accused on the grounds of section 99 of the Criminal Procedure Code and the court's inherent jurisdiction.

The case was at that juncture adjourned to 29th April, 2008.