High Court Orders West Coast Radio to Hand Over Recording of “Coffee Time” Interview

A High Court judge on Monday ordered West Coast Radio to turn over the audio recording of an interview aired last August on its flagship morning program, “Coffee Time,” ruling that the broadcast may contain evidence central to an ongoing criminal case.

Justice Jaiteh issued the order after defence counsel S. L. Jobarteh applied for a subpoena requiring the station’s proprietor—or an authorized representative—to produce the recording of the August 14, 2025, interview between host Peter Gomez and guest Abdoulie Sanyang.

Lawyer Lamin J. Darboe, appearing for the accused, did not oppose the request.

In granting the application, Justice Jaiteh said the court was persuaded that the defence had demonstrated sufficient grounds to obtain the broadcast.

“The particulars of offence in counts one and two directly relate to a live radio interview broadcast on West Coast Radio,” the judge said. “And the audio recording of that interview is therefore not only relevant but also material to the just determination of the issues before the court.”

Justice Jaiteh relied on certain provisions of the law to grant the order. He stated that section 221 of the Evidence Act 1994 allows for a person to be summoned solely to produce a document (or, in this case, a recording) without giving personal evidence.

Justice Jaiteh cited Section 221 of the Evidence Act of 1994, which permits a person to be summoned for the sole purpose of producing a document—in this instance, an audio file—without being required to testify. He also referred to Section 160 of the Criminal Procedure Act of 2025, which authorizes courts to compel individuals in possession of evidence to produce it.

Invoking those provisions, the judge concluded that the recording constitutes “material evidence in the possession, custody, or control of West Coast Radio” and that compelling its production was “proper, lawful, and necessary.”

The order directs the station’s proprietor, or a designated representative, to appear before the court and deliver the recording.

The matter was adjourned to Nov. 24, 2025, at 2 p.m.