Kumba Sinyan at the high court. Photo credit Kexx Sanneh
By Landing Ceesay
The murder trial of Kumba Sinyan has encountered a setback due to the illness of her attorney, Mrs. Sagar Twum.
During the scheduled continuation of the case, Hon. Justice Sidi K. Jobarteh, the presiding Judge, inquired with State Counsel M. Sanyang about the receipt of a letter from the defence lawyer, Mrs. Twum.State Counsel M. Sanyang confirmed receipt of the letter, wherein Counsel Twum requested an adjournment of the proceedings due to her health condition. The letter stated, “I write to inform you that due to ill health, I am unable to appear in the above-mentioned case slated for hearing today Wednesday, 13th day of December 2023 at 1:00 pm. I therefore crave the indulgence of this Honourable Court for an adjournment to a convenient date. I apologize to the Court and the Prosecution for any inconvenience caused.”State Counsel M. Sanyang did not oppose the request for adjournment but urged the court to note that the 10th Prosecution Witness (PW10) was present in court. Counsel M. Sanyang highlighted that PW10, being their last Prosecution Witness, has a busy schedule, making it challenging to secure his presence for the next adjourned date.
“Our witness is a busy person, and we always find it difficult to have him because of his busy schedule. I want the court to put that in the record in case we cannot get him in the next adjourned date,” Counsel M. Sanyang told the court.
Hon. Justice Sidi K. Jobarteh acknowledged the submission of the State Counsel and adjourned the case to December 18, 2023.
Background of the Case
Kumba Sinyan a young entrepreneur, is charged with murder contrary to section 187 of Criminal Code Cap: 10:01 Revised Laws of the Gambia 2009.
Prosecutors alleged that the suspect on or about the 14th of September 2022 at The Friendship Hostel in Bakau, with malice aforethought, caused the death of one Lamarana Jallow by cutting his stomach with an object and thereby committed an offence punishable with death under section 188 of the Criminal Code Cap of the Laws of the Gambia 2009.