By Lamin Sanyang
The criminal trial involving nine former NIA officers that was scheduled for plead taking has suffered a setback before Justice Kumba Sillah Camara of the Banjul High Court.
The officers standing trial are the former NIA Director General Yankuba Badjie, Deputy Director General Louis Gomez and Director of Operations Sheikh Omar Jeng along with Babucarr Sallah, Yusupha Jammeh, Tamba Massireh, Haruna Susso, Lamin Darboe and Lamin Lang Sanyang.
When the case was called this afternoon, March 27, the defense team made an objection arguing that their clients were served with fresh charges barely 5 minutes before the trial judge entered the court, saying they could not even look at the information on the new documents to advice their clients.
Defense counsel Mene called on the attention of court to the ruling made for the state to provide full information as the one provided in the last sitting was incomplete. He told the court that they were not served with the summary of evidence. He called for a speedy trial to serve justice to the accused persons.
The State Counsel MB Abubakr also recalled the court to his submissions in the last sitting about the difficulties they are encountering at the AG Chambers, saying they are making efforts to proceed expeditiously with the case. He apologized for the delayed which was accepted by the defense team.
“In the interest of justice, I will adjourned the case for plea taking on another date,” Justice Kumba Sillah Camara said.
Subsequently, the case was adjourned to Monday, 3rd April 2017, for plea taking.
Meanwhile, the State was represented by MB Abubakr, A. Yaqub, O. Danso and others while the defense team include Lawyers Mene, Chime, Edu Gomez, Richard Moses and Uzoma among others. It is said that twelve fresh charges to be preferred against the nine accused persons.
