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Magistrate tough with prosecutor

Apr 18, 2023, 1:01 PM | Article By: Dawda Faye

Principal Magistrate Omar Jabang of the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court was tough with Sub-Inspector Kebbeh, prosecuting officer, on the 11th April, 2023, when he applied for an adjournment of a criminal case. This did not go down well with the magistrate.

“I will not grant you an adjournment. The accused person is always present in court. He has been here since in the morning. He is always present on every adjourned date. You always give excuses when your witnesses are not in court. Complainants would go to the police and complain and would not want to come to court. You either close your case or I acquit and discharge the accused person. I will order the IGP to pay D250,000 to the accused as cost.  This is provided by law. Your excuses are unacceptable. You either close your case or I acquit and discharge the accused,” Magistrate Jabang told Prosecutor Kebbeh.

ASP Touray informed the court that they had already called three witnesses and the third witness was their last witness. “Your Worship, we are closing our case,” he stated.

“I will go through the testimonies of the prosecution witnesses to determine whether the prosecution has established a prima facie case against you to warrant you to open your defence,” Magistrate Jabang told the accused.

The case was subsequently adjourned.