By Landing Ceesay
The trial of the alleged coup plotters suffered another setback today as the prosecution informed the court that their witness is out of jurisdiction and cannot testify.
“The matter is scheduled for today, but the witness we intended to call on is out of the jurisdiction (disposed of). But he will be back during the weekend. We, therefore, apply for an adjournment to the next adjourned date, and we apologize to all the parties and the Court,” The Deputy Director of Prosecution A.M Yusuf, the Counsel for the Stated, told the court.
The defence counsel did not object to the prosecution’s application for the court to adjourn the case to the next adjourned date. However, the judge presiding over the case, Justice Mahoney, ordered the state to put their house in order and ensure that the witness is available on the next adjourned date.
This is the second time the case has been adjourned due to the unavailability of prosecution witnesses.
On the last adjourned date, the case could not proceed because the Prosecution told the court that their witness is an undercover security agent, and they would like him to be examined in camera in the Judge’s chambers.
The Prosecution so far called four (4) witnesses since the trial of the alleged coup plotters began early this year, and the case has been adjourned again to the 21st of March 2023 for continuation.
Sanna Fadera (the 1st accused) and 3 other soldiers of the Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) and a Police Officer from the Gambia Police Force (GPF). The four are accused of an attempted Coup and charged with 5 counts, including treason.
The defendants in the case are Lance Corporal Sanna Fadera (1st accused) Private Officer, Gibril Darboe (2nd accused) Corporal Ebrima Sannoh (3rd accused), and Corporal Omar Njie (4th accused), Fabakary Jawara (5th accused) who is the Police Officer charged alongside the Soldiers.