The murder trial of former NIA Director General and eight others failed to proceed when prominent lawyers Antouman Gaye, Lamin S. Camara, Rachel Mendy, Sheriff Tambadou and others were announced as public prosecutors to represent the state in the case.
When the case was announced in a crowded courtroom, the defense Lawyer C. E Mene who represents Yankuba Badjie, the former NIA Director General made an objection together with the other defense lawyers with regard to the appearances of Antouman Gaye and other prominent lawyers in the case. He told the court that they have a strong objection in the competence of Antouman Gaye and other prosecutors whose names were announced to represent the state.
“It will jeopardize the fairness of the trial,” Lawyer Mene submitted.
Mene went further to informed the court about their intention to file a formal application in the next 48 hours. The newly appointed Public Prosecutor, Antouman Gaye said the state prosecutors will wait for the formal notice to be served by the defense and will react accordingly. He made an objection to the joint filing of the defense, saying each should file their own because they are representing different people.
“You can file individual applications and the court will decide,” Justice Kumba Sillah Camara told the defense.
Justice Sillah Camara also advice the prosecution to copy the appointed list of prosecutors to serve the defense before the next adjournment date. Subsequently, the case was adjourned to Monday, 5 May, for mention and ruling on the application.
Meanwhile, the nine former NIA officers standing trial in the murder of Solo Sandeng, a political activist who was tortured to death are Yankuba Badjie, former NIA Director General, Louis Gomez, former Deputy NIA Director General, Sheikh Omar Jeng, former Dictator of Operations, Babucarr Sallah, Yusupha Jammeh, Tamba Massireh, Haruna Suso, Lamin Darboe and Lamin Lang Sanyang.
