The criminal trial involving the former Director General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and eight other officers will not proceed until after the vacation of the high court.
The nine former NIA Officers standing trial are Yankuba Badjie, former NIA Director General, Louis Gomez, former Deputy Director General, Sheikh Omar Jeng, former Operations Director, Babucarr Sallah, Yusupha Jammeh, Haruna Susso, Tamba Massireh, Lamin Darboe and Lamin Lang Sanyang who are facing charges on the murder of Solo Sandeng, a political activist who was allegedly arrested and tortured to death while in custody.
When the case was announced this afternoon before Justice Kumba Sillah Camara of the Banjul High Court, she has adjourned the case for adoption of briefs and suspended the rulings until after the vacation of the high court.
Lawyer Antouman Gaye, the Special Prosecutor told the court that some have already made arragements to go on vacation including some members of the prosecution team.
“Today is the end of term,” Special Prosecutor Antouman Gaye said.
Defense Lawyer C. E Mene said there are several lawyers at the prosecution and the absence of any of them should not stop the proceedings.
At this juncture, the trial judge decided to stand down the matter for almost ten minutes for the prosecution and defense teams to discuss among themselves.
When the matter was resumed the Special Prosecutor informed the court that they have agreed for the court to adopt briefs on the August 3 and adjourned the ruling until after the vacation.
Subsequently, the trial judge has adjourned the case to August 10 for the adoption of briefs and pushed the ruling to the end of vacation.
