April 14 Protesters Appeal for Stay of Proceedings

 

Defence counsels of April 14 peaceful protesters have filed a brief for stay of proceedings at the Court of Appeal   presided over by Justice O.A Adogoke alongside Justice Awa Bah, and Justice Edrisa Fafa M’bai on 16 June, 2016.

Noggoi Njie, Fatoumata Jawara, Fatou Camara, Ebrima Jabang, Modou Ngum, Kalilu Saidykhan and Kafu Bayo,  Lamin Sonko, Babacarr Gitteh, Baba Ceesay, Modou Touray, Ebrima Janko Ceesay, Lamin Camara, Alhagie Jammeh, Lansana Beyai, Lamin Jatta, Lamin Marong, Ebrima Jadama, Pa Ousman Njie, Kekuta Yabo, Bubacarr Jah, Muhammed Jawneh, Bubacarr Touray, Saderr Secka,  and Alhagie Fatty,  have  pleaded not guilty of seven counts of “unlawful assembly”, “conspiracy” “riot”, “incitement of violence”, “riotously interfering”, “holding a procession without a permit” and “disobeying an order to disperse from an unlawful procession”

Defence team led by Amie Bensouda, Neneh Cham, Musa Batchilly and Combeh Gaye appeared for the appellants  whiles Saleh Hadi Barkun,  director of public prosecution and B Jeng appeared for the State.

 Bensouda informed the court of appeal that the records are ready and that the State has been served. She noted that   if the court is inclined to order briefs they (defense team) will file their brief on June 24, 2016.

 Justice O.A Adogoke told the director of public prosecution Saleh Hadi Barkun to confirmed service.

 Barkun confirmed that he has been served whiles asked the court for seven days to file the respondents’ brief.

However, the court granted the appellants five  days to file their brief while the respondents’ were also given seven days to file their brief after service, and three  for the appellants to reply to the respondents brief.

The case adjourned till 11 July, 2016 for adoption of briefs. 

author: Mafugi Ceesay