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Momodou
Denmark
11809 Posts |
 Posted - 10 Apr 2008 : 21:11:25
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Babylon Arson Trial
Journalists Face Hurdle
By Modou Jonga
Journalists, from both the print and electronic media, were on Monday 7 April, 2008 barred from entering the Brikama Magistrates’ Court before the arrival of the accused persons in the recent Babylon arson case.
The journalists from Foroyaa, Point, Daily Observer and News and Report were barred from entering the Court by PIU officers dressed in riot gears. When the concerned journalists enquired why they were not allowed to enter, the PIU officer replied that they are acting on orders from their high command. Subsequently when a reporter of the state owned media GRTS arrived, he was immediately allowed entry by the PIU personnel.
After standing for more than twenty-five minutes, journalists working for the said media houses were also allowed to enter following the intervention of the two court officials.
The criminal case involving the 88 accused persons and the state proceeded before Magistrate M’bai. When the case was called, Lawyer Antouman Gaye and Mrs. A Coker noted their representation for 82 of the accused persons. Defence counsel Amie Joof Conteh, noted her representation for the 25, 47, 48, 59, 66 and 70 accused persons.
Subsequently, the prosecutor ASP Camara, applied to add the names of seven new accused persons on the list of the accused persons, who were arraigned on 31 March, 2008. The defence counsels did not object to the application sought by ASP Camara. Magistrate M’bai granted the application and ordered that the charge sheet be read to the seven new accused persons.
The seven accused persons in the persons of Dawda Jarju, Sambou Camara, Dawda Camara, Amadou Secka, Amin Colley, Karapha Jawara and Yaya Suwareh all pleaded not guilty for committing arson, being armed in public and conspiracy to commit felony on 30 March, 2008 at Babylon in the Kombo North.
ASP Camara, further applied to prefer three new charges against the accused persons, but that the presiding Magistrate said that it is improper to make amendments and bring fresh charges against accused persons. He urged for proper investigation before arraigning people in court. Magistrate M’bai ruled that the fresh charges which include willful damage to generators, houses and vehicles be put under one count. He ordered that the fresh charges be rectified, typed and copied to counsels by the prosecutor. The fresh charges were withdrawn following an application by ASP Camara. The prosecutor is expected to file the fresh charges against the accused on the next adjourned date.
The first prosecution witness Lamin Jarju was called to testify. Mr. Jarju said he resides in Babylon and is a farmer and that he recognises some of the accused persons on 30 March, 2008. He recalled that on the said date, he saw nearly a hundred people destroying houses at a distance, while he was just ready taking bath. He told the court, the houses of one Ebou Fofana, Ebrima Jarju and others were burnt by the accused persons. Mr. Jarju said he has recognised Yusupha Badjie (36 accused) Yankuba Jammeh (81 accused), Karapha Jawara (94 accused), Yaya Suwareh (95 accused), Sambou Camara (90) accused) Alasana Jammeh (67 accused) and Ebrima Manneh (59 accused) at his premises.
According to Mr. Jarju, part of his house was broken into by the some of the accused persons, while he was in and that diggers and hammers were used. He said he was assisted by one Haruna Jallow and Bakary Jarju and others out of the crowd.
He said following his escape, he reported the matter to Yundum police station but upon arrival, he was informed that the police have gone to the scene. He said he went back to Babylon but found out that most of the accused persons were arrested. While being cross examined by Counsel Antouman Gaye, the witness said he is 41 years old. Counsel Gaye questioned that there is no place officially known and recognized as Babylon, but ASP Camara objected that the question is irrelevant and the concerned authorities are better off than his witness to answer the question. Magistrate M’bai over ruled the objection by ASP Camara. The witness replied that Babylon exists.
Contrary to the views of Counsel Gaye, the witness said he did not impose himself as village head of Babylon and that he did not demarcate and allocate lands in Babylon. The witness said those he allocate plots of land paid rates to him. Counsel Gaye asked the witness, who authorized him to levy rates and taxes on those he gave plots. The witness replied that he got a letter of administration to settle at Babylon and he deems it appropriate to collect rates and taxes from the people. He told the court that the rates and taxes he collected are also collected by the Brikama Area Council. Mr. Jarju has denied being bred in Daranka and said that there exists no area called Makumbaya Babylon, but Babylon separately. The ninety five accused persons were thus granted bail by the court.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issues
Issue No. 41/2008, 9 – 10 April 2008
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