When the case was called, the prosecuting officer, Inspector Jallow, informed the court that efforts were made to issue a bench warrant for the arrest of Pa Modou Jatta and other two accused persons who had absconded but it was difficult. He again applied for a bench warrant to be issued for the arrest of Pa Modou Jatta by virtue of Section 90 of the CPC and also for the arrest of his surety, citing Section 107 of the CPC.
The defence counsel, K. Camara, then told the court that it is the prosecution who should arrest those who were not present in court but not the defence. She urged the court to give Pa Lamin Sillah the benefit of the doubt to prove his illness.
The presiding magistrate then told Inspector Jallow that that was the third consecutive time he had asked the court to issue a bench warrant for the arrest of the accused persons who absconded and Pa Modou Jatta. “ You have not made any effort to arrest Pa Modou Jatta and those who absconded. In the interest of justice, I will grant your application,” she told Inspector Jallow. She warned the accused persons who were present in court to always be in court for the case to proceed, and also for them to know their fate.
The case will continue on the 30th July, 2024.
The accused persons are facing eight counts of criminal charges, including conspiracy, preventing the making of proclamation, rioters threatening violence, common nuisance etc.
