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Momodou
Denmark
11833 Posts |
 Posted - 04 Jul 2007 : 19:33:14
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FATOU JAW MANNEH’S CASE TRANSFERRED TO BANJUL MAGISTRATES’ COURT
By Fabakary B. Ceesay
Senior Magistrate Buba Jawo of the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court yesterday ruled that journalist Fatou Jaw Manneh, who is standing trial at his court on sedition charges, cannot be tried at Kanifing, but instead at the Banjul Magistrates’ Court.
In his ruling, Magistrate Jawo indicated that the offences were committed while the accused was in the USA and that the whole investigation in the matter was conducted in Banjul. He said the first witness stated before the court that a complaint on the matter was lodged at the NIA office in Banjul and that they browsed the internet at the same place and downloaded the article in their office at Banjul. Jawo added that the second witness also said he went to the NIA headquarters in Banjul where the said article was given to him to read. Jawo ruled that the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court has no jurisdiction to try the case and that he will transfer all the files pertaining to the procedure to the Banjul Magistrates’ Court.
According to Magistrate Jawo, the procedure is in line with Section 61(1), and 62 of the Criminal Code. However, both the counsels were astonished by the move of the Magistrate, as both counsels and the court attendees stared at the Magistrate as he was preparing to rise up. The defence counsel, Lamin S. Jobarteh, rose up to ask the Magistrate about his move, but the Magistrate who appeared to be in a hurry to go into chambers said, “That is my ruling on the case”.
Journalist Fatou Jaw Manneh has been standing trial at the Kanifing Magistrates Court since April this year. At the inception of the case, the defence counsel has challenged the jurisdiction of the court to hear the case, but the objection was overruled by Magistrate Jawo who said that Fatou can be tried before him at the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 77/2007, July 4 – 5 2007
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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