| WHAT IS HAPPENING AT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S CHAMBERS? The Attorney General Should Hold A Press Conference To Explain It is very easy these days for Government Officials to accuse Journalists of being engaged in what they term as irresponsible Journalism. These authorities often blame the journalists of writing without conducting any form of investigation. They often blame the media for writing speculations just to sell their papers. Now Foroyaa is calling on those who levy such allegations against the Media to practice what they preach. We have been trying to investigate many issues of Public Concern, but all too often officials hide behind the claim that they are public servants and could not comment without authorisation from the Head of the Public Service. We at Foroyaa cannot continue to swallow such evasive tactics while authorities give moral sermons to journalists to publish facts. We want lectures on what constitutes responsible administration or execution of public duty. Responsibility in public administration goes with accountability and transparency. At this very moment many criminal cases at the High Court are at a stand still. Some claim that the prosecutors have grievances and have downed tools; others say they are on a hot seat because of the disappearance of a key witness; others talk about queries against their performance leading to administrative friction at the AG Chambers. Some even go as far as to talk about pay disputes. It is not easy to get clear information as to what is what. In short, what is however as clear as noon day is that there is something wrong at the level of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions at the AG Chambers. The criminal case involving the Ex-Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ensa Badjie, Lt. Colonel Mam Matarr Secka and Major Kuluteh Manneh could not continue on Thursday 17th June 2010 because the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr Richard N. Chenge, applied for an adjournment, because “the witness (PW1) Sillaba Samateh should appear but did not come.” We all know that a bench warrant could be applied to ensure the appearance of any witness who refuses to come to court. However no such application was made. This is why many people are wondering where Sillaba Samateh is. Secondly, the trial of Bun Sanneh and four others suffered a set back at the High Court on 21st June 2010 due to the absence of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Richard N Chenge. Ebrima Jah, a state counsel, told the court of his intention to apply to the bench so that he would speak to the presiding judge privately, adding that there is no state counsel at the Attorney General’s Chambers and that in that regard they would like to request for an adjournment regarding criminal matters. No one has explained what happened to the state counsels. The Attorney General needs to clarify Ebrima Jah’s Statement. Finally, it could be recalled that General Tamba and Commodore Fofana were arraigned before Justice Joseph Ikpala on Friday 18th June, on treason charges in connection with the 21 March 2006 Coup. The case however could not proceed on Friday 25th. On Friday, the accused persons and one of the counsels were both present in court, but the trial judge, Justice Joseph Ikpala of the Banjul High Court, was not available for proceedings to continue. The DPP, Richard N. Chenge, and his deputy, Mikalive Abdullah, were not seen in court. The matter was pushed to Thursday 1st July, even though both the judge and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) were not available. When our reporter contacted Defence Counsel Tambedou for clarification, he confirmed the adjournment based on the request of the prosecution. He added that the prosecution has sent counsel Yousef with a notice to the court asking for an adjournment until they sought out the problems they are encountering at the Attorney General’s Chambers. The public is entitled to an explanation since many accused persons are remanded in custody and their liberties are at stake. They have a right to a speedy trial and a fair hearing. The information we received that Mr. Kayode Olajubutu, the Principal Magistrate at the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court, has tendered his resignation to the judicial authorities almost a week ago and has already left the country since 20 June, 2010 for international appointment should send signals to the Gambian authorities on the need to take a fresh look at the Gambian Judiciary especially the criminal justice system. Foroyaa will contact the Office of Attorney General for more clarification on the absence of the prosecution in some of the well publicised cases before the courts. |
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