A trial judge in Banjul has discharged 3 soldiers and 2 civilians who were accused of treason and conspiracy to treason.
Sub-Lieutenant Omar Colley, Corporal Bakary Njie and Corporal Barra Touray, all members of the Gambia Armed Forces were released. In another arm of the trail, the two civilians in the case – Mustapha Jabbi and Saikou Gassama – were also released.
Deputy Director of Public Prosecution Abdul Maita Yusuf alongside Senior Lawyers Patrick Gomez and Lamin Jarju appeared for the State.
The prosecution informed the court that they had filed a new bill of indictment against the accused persons and they applied for the court to strike out the transfer charge sheet by the police from the Banjul Magistrate’s Court.
Defence Lawyer Lamin S. Camara made an application for the court to discharge Corporal Bakary Njie and Corporal Barra Touray, since their names were not mentioned in the new bill of indictment. Lawyer Abdoulie Jarju also made similar application with respect to Second Lieutenant Omar M. Colley, whose name did not appear in the new indictment. Lawyer Jarju asked the court to order for his reinstatement.
DDPP Yusuf for the State said the soldiers whose names were not mentioned in the bill of indictment were not charged for any crime hence, their rights and privileges will not be affected.
Justice Basiru V.P. Mahoney struck out the transfer case from the magistrate’s court.
