She made these remarks in the case involving Bakary Sarr, High Court Assistant Bailiff, who is charged with fraud and obtaining money by false pretence.
The presiding judge further posited that the court has given the accused sufficient time to call his witnesses. She said that the accused had promised to bring his witnesses but failed to do so. “The case has suffered series of setbacks. The application by the accused for another adjournment to enable him call his witnesses is dismissed and his defence is foreclosed,” she told the court.
When the case was called, Justice Janneh-Njie asked the accused whether his witnesses were present in court. He responded that they were not in court and maintained that he has witnesses to call. “During the last sitting, I appealed to the court to give me another adjournment so that I can call my witnesses, and if I fail to do so, the court can take a decision. My witnesses are not in town but they will be available next week. I beg the court to grant me another adjournment,” he posited.
Sub-Inspector Colley, who represented the IGP, told the court that he was objecting to the application made by the accused to adjourn the case again. “The accused was given the opportunity to call his witnesses. I believe that he is not in contact with his witnesses. He is not certain as to when his witnesses will be available. I urge the court to foreclose the defence of the accused and enter judgement,” he argued.
The case was subsequently adjourned to the 18th August, 2022, for judgment when the accused would know his fate.
