The Daily Observer (Banjul)
Sidiq Asemota
9 June 2011
Seventeen accused persons standing criminal trial before the Special Criminal Court in Banjul, presided over by Justice Joseph Enwa Ikpala, yesterday closed their defence after the last accused persons, Alasan Jarju and Aziz Kujabi finished giving their testimony.
The 17 accused persons: Yusupha Ceesay, Modou Lamin Badjie, Saku Jammeh, Zackaria Jatta, Tijan Camara, Mafugi Jarju, Abdoulie Sonko, Hatab Jatta, Abdou Badjie, Ebrima Jarju, Zang Sambou, Basiru Jammeh, Seedy Sanyang, Tumani Manga, Ebrima Badjie Jatta, Alasan Jarju and Aziz Kujabi are charged with two counts of unlawful possession of firearms, arms of war and ammunition, contrary to Section 8 of the Arms and Ammunition Act, Cap 21:01, Vol III Laws of The Gambia.
The accused persons are further charged with the offence of illegal entry into the Republic of The Gambia sometime in the month of October 2010, contrary to Section 31 (c) of the Immigration Act, Cap 16:02, Vol III Laws of The Gambia, 1990. The prosecution called five witnesses and tendered exhibits including the accused persons’ cautionary and voluntary statements, photographs of the alleged arms of war and ammunition recovered from the accused persons before the Special Criminal Court in Banjul.
The accused persons, who were not represented by legal counsel, entered their defence and subsequently finished their defence yesterday, Wednesday, 8th of June 2011. At the close of the accused persons’ defence, the presiding judge, Justice Joseph Enwa Ikpala adjourned the case to the 22nd of June 2011 for the prosecution, led by Deputy Director of Special Litigation, Simeon Ateh Abi, to file its address before the Special Criminal Court.
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