#Headlines

Judicial staff to close defence if he fails to bring witnesses

Aug 5, 2022, 12:19 PM | Article By: Dawda Faye

Justice Isatou Janneh–Njie of the High Court at Kanifing yesterday warned Bakary Sarr, High Court Assistant Bailiff in Banjul, that if he failed to bring his witnesses on the next adjourned date, he would close his defence. The accused is charged with fraud and obtaining money by false pretence.

When the case was called, Commission A. Sanneh announced his representation for the IGP. Justice Janneh-Njie asked the accused whether he had brought his witnesses.

The accused responded that his witnesses were not present in court. “They are not still in town as I said on the last adjournment. The case has been dragging for quite a long time. There will be no longer wasting the time of the court. The case dragged because I was sick. I indulge the court to grant me last adjournment to bring my witnesses. If my witnesses fail to appear in court on the next adjourned date, the case may proceed,” he posited.

Commission Sanneh objected to the request made by the accused. He stated that the accused was just canvassing to delay the case. “He has no witnesses to call. He is just buying time. The accused appealed to the court to grant him last adjournment during the last sitting. He has said that his witnesses are not in town. How can we wait for them? I urge the court to disregard the request of the accused to adjourn the case. The complainant has suffered for too long,” Prosecutor Sanneh told the court.

Justice Janneh-Njie then ruled that the accused was to call his witnesses but they were not present in court. She further stated that the accused would be given another opportunity to bring his witnesses, and if he failed to do so, he would close his defence.

The matter was adjourned to 11 August, 2022, for the continuation of the defence.