2 tons cocaine case adjourned again

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2 tons cocaine case adjourned again

Wednesday, 07 July 2010 22:58

As AG Chambers takes over the case
By Abdoulie John
The hearing in the case of 12 people linked to 2 tons cocaine seized last month has been adjourned again, following request by the Attorney General’s Chambers.
The Attorney General’s Chambers which has now taken over the case, demanded that the prosecution be given more time to seek legal advice in order to proceed with the case. justice_gavel_3

Wednesday’s proceedings were preceded by a tense battle of procedure between the prosecution and the defense counsels who were shocked by the fact that the accused persons appeared before the Banjul Magistrate’s Court not only handcuffed, but also with their legs chained.
“This is inhuman and unjustifiable! They have the right to be treated fairly,” protested Lawyer Lamin S. Camara, who spared no efforts to denounce such a treatment. Subsequently, the presiding magistrate acceded to the defense counsels’ request and ordered the National Drug Enforcement Agency (NDEA) officers to remove the handcuffs and chains…
Reacting to the prosecution’s application for adjournment, Lawyer Emmanuel Chime, who is part of the defense counsels, reminded the court that when the case was adjourned during the previous hearing they were made to understand that the prosecution was done with their inquiries and that it was only seeking legal advice from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) at the Attorney General Chambers. “Our fears stick deep as to whether by the next adjournment date, the court may be told that the legal opinion is yet to be ready,” he said in a tone suggesting dissatisfaction.
In a similar note, Lawyer Camara debunked reasons put forward by the prosecution calling for the court’s indulgence to adjourn the case. “When the case file was sent to the office of the DPP for legal advice, it stands therefore to reason that the Attorney General’s Chambers is already informed. So, they are not taking over the case today!”
He went on to say that 28 days have already passed since the accused persons were charged and not a single witness has been called and the case has not proceeded an inch. “I am willing to bend over backwards while hoping that the State will run away from excuses.”
The presiding magistrate finally decided to adjourn the hearing as the defense and prosecution agreed for the case to be set for mention on July 15, 2010.The accused persons were returned to Mile II handcuffed and their legs tied in chains...