Dumo Saho And Others: Treason Trial Charges Dropped Against One

The Daily Observer (Banjul)

December 13, 2001 
Posted to the web December 13, 2001 

The state has dropped the criminal charges preferred against Abdoulie Sanyang, the seventh accused person in the ongoing treason trial involving the State against Ebrima Barrow, Momodou Dumo Ousman Saho, Momodou Marena, Ebrima Yarbo, Lt Lalo Jaiteh and Lt Omar Darboe, charged with four counts of criminal offense, conspiracy to commit felony and treason.

At the Wednesday December 12, 2001 sitting, presided over by Justice Wallace Grant, the director of public prosecution (DPP) Chief Akomaye Agim intimated to the court that the State had filed a notice of discontinuance of criminal proceedings against Abdoulie Sanyang who the court acknowledged was not present in court.

Lawyer Ousman Sillah, the accused's counsel, informed the court that the case had been in hibernation for a while, resulting to Abdoulie Sanyang not knowing the actual dates for the hearing of the matter.

Lawyer Sillah noted that DPP was not present in one of the sittings and in the last sitting, Justice Grante, who was presiding over the matter, was away in the Brikama High Court. DPP however informed the court that the state was no longer desirous in prosecuting Abdoulie Sanyang.

Justice Grante acknowledged that the court had received the notice of discontinuance of criminal proceedings against Abdoulie Sanyang but wondered why Abdoulie Sanyang was not in court.

In his ruling, Justice Grante however discharged the seventh accused person, Abdoulie Sanyang and the court proceeded to take the plea of the six accused persons.

As the plea was taken half way, Lawyer Ousainou Darboe and Ousman Sillah made application for the names of Rtd Captain Alagie Kanteh and Saul Ndow to be removed from the particulars of offence in count two, three and four of the charge sheet since they were not present in court.

Both Lawyers argued that leaving the names of Rtd Captain Alagie Kanteh and Saul Ndow in the particulars of offence in count 2,3&4 would amount to the court trying them in absentia as the constitution does not have provision for trial in absentia.

DPP, however took a date to reply or to advise himself and Justice Wallace Grante therefore adjourned the matter to December 19, 2001 for continuation.

                    __________________________

Congrats to Mr Sanyang although he has been out since December 19th last year. 

But six people are still locked up at the security wing of Mile II and after 18 months they have not yet been given any chance to answer to the grave accusations since the court have not yet reached beyond procedural matters.

Annika (Dumo's wife) 

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