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Momodou
Denmark
11835 Posts |
 Posted - 11 Apr 2007 : 01:53:26
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AT THE COURT MATRIAL
“NO SALARIES FOR ACCUSED FOR 1 YEAR”-Lawyer Mboge
By Fabakary Ceesay
Defence counsel Lamin K. Mboge, counsel for 2nd accused Lieutenant Pharing Sanyang and Corporal Samba Bah on Thursday 5 told the court that the accused persons have not been paid salaries since April 2006.
Mr. Mboge told the court that his clients have informed him that they had not receiving their salaries since April 2006. “I have vital information and it is a fact that they are not having their salaries.” The judge advocate, Justice Akimoyae Agim, ruled that the court is not the right place to raise that issue because the accused persons are on a criminal trial. He said that they can write to the authorities to remind them about the matter. Counsel Lamin S. Camara also raised the issue of the confiscated items of the accused persons. He said that he had for a long time filed a motion to the court. Before going further, Agim ruled that, that matter would be addressed on the next sitting date when he (Camara) has would have filed his address to the court.
On the filing of their written addresses to the court, state counsel Emmanuel O. Fagbenle, said that he had received the address on the 4th and 8th accused persons. He said that he had not received any other address concerning other accused persons. He said that he is ready to adopt this address which was dated 19th March, 2007. Fagbenle indicated that he was ready to go into the address on the 4th and 8th accused persons. Counsel Mboge also informed the court that he had filed his address on the 4th April, but added that he did not know whether the clerk had served the court. Counsel Camara said he was yet to finish his report, but told the court that this will be the last time that he will ask for permission from the court to file his address. He lamented that the relevant part of his address is ready. He added that he has a problem in accessing some legal documents, which he thought are absolutely necessary to the determination of the case. Camara indicated that he was writing addresses on four accused persons who are standing criminal trial at the court-martial. He said that the charges against them are very heavy. “It takes the prosecution twelve days to file their address. In the interest of justice, we humbly asked this honourable court to give us few more days to finish our addresses,” he said. Mrs. Sainabou Wadda Ceesay, a co-counsel for Captain Yaya Darboe also told the court that they would file their report by the next sitting. She said that they were yet to finish their address. Mr. Nene Cham Chongan also asked for extension of time.
Justice Agim then granted the application, but warned that the defence should file their addresses by Tuesday 10 April at the latest. He said they don’t want anymore delays in the case. The president of the court, Commander Sarjo Fofana, said that they would not allow anymore excuses for adjournment, saying: “We are saying that today will be the end of war, we would not take anymore excuses.” Captain Bunja Darboe, Captain Yaya Darboe, Captain Wassa Camara and Second Lieutenant Pharing Sanyang are standing trial at the court-martial on the charges of treason, while Captain Abdou Karim Jah, Captain Paul J. Mendy, Lieutenant Momodou Alieu Bah, Corporal Samba Bah, Lance Corporal Babou Janha and Private Alagie Nying are facing charges of concealment of treason. They have all pleaded not guilty. The case continues.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 40/2007, 9 - 10 April, 2007
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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