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Momodou
Denmark
11851 Posts |
 Posted - 06 Mar 2008 : 16:08:30
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Lieutenant Bakary Camara Still Not In Court
New Charges Looming
By Bubacarr K. Sowe & Fabakary B. Ceesay
Lieutenant Bakary Camara, a body guard to President Jammeh is yet to appear in court as the prosecution failed to abide by two bail orders issued by a Magistrate and a High Court judge.
Lieutenant Camara was to appear in court yesterday at the Banjul Magistrates Court, but the prosecutor told the court that the accused person is remanded at the State Central Prison at Mile Two. Yesterday’s absence of Lieutenant Camara makes it the second consecutive adjournment of the case due to the absence of the accused person.
Camara is facing two counts of giving false information and one count of theft. He was initially charged with conspiracy, stealing and economic crime alongside Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Manlafi Sanyang, controller of government vehicles and Momodou Lamin Sonko, proprietor of Boto Construction.
Meanwhile, Inspector Yaya Touray yesterday told the court that they want an adjournment for the trial of Lieutenant Camara until today (March 5). The prosecutor said he received new charges against Camara from the Attorney General’s Chambers and he wants to consolidate it with the charges of ASP Sanyang and Domenico Fideli, both on trial on the same subject.
Lieutenant Camara’s Lawyer, Lamin S. Camara told the court that the matter should not be adjourned because the prosecution refused to bring the accused person who is on bail. Lawyer Camara said that the prosecution’s action shows disrespect for the court orders, stressing that the accused was never given the chance to meet his bail application. Mr. Camara argued that as soon as the court rose on the day, his client was granted bail. The accused was immediately whisked away by security officers without meeting the bail condition.
However, Magistrate Kayode Olajubutu said since the prosecutor has opened what he called the Pandora’s box he should enter the witness box and testify since the accused person who is on bail has not been released. Inspector Touray however refused to testify on the whereabouts of Lieutenant Camara.
The Magistrate then ruled that he will not take Inspector Touray as serious and he will issue a bench warrant for the accused person who he said is on bail. Apart from the D50,000 bail bond granted by Magistrate Kayode to the accused person, he was initially granted bail by a High Court judge in the sum of one million dalasi in respect of other charges, but both orders are yet to be honoured by the state.
Source:Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issues
Issue No. 27/2008, 5 – 6 March 2008
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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