Judge warns state not to delay trial of Gam-Petroleum two
By LAMIN SANYANG
In the Gam-Petroleum case, Judge Haddy C Roche has warned the State not to waste the time of the company’s two former staff who are facing numerous charges of economic crimes at Banjul High Court.
The trial Judge’s comments followed state prosecutor, Lamin Jarju’s failure to provide witnesses, giving excuses that were not convincing to the court.
She said the right to speedy trial is fundamental to the accused persons whose freedoms have been jeopardised.
“I am not going to adjourn the case at your convenience,” Judge Haddy Roche told the state posecutor.
She added: “You are seeking for a conviction and they are looking for freedom.”
The judge also told the counsel that she was not going to listen to state prosecutor’s excuses but warned him to call his witnesses to come to the court because it is a duty on them.
“You have to bring your witnesses to the court. It is not a leisure but a duty on them to come to the court,” she said.
The state prosecutor has appealed for time to call his witnesses to come to the court in the next adjourned date.
Jarju said the next witness who was supposed to testify has a serious family matter.
“My lord this is a circumstance beyonđ my control,” he told the court.
The case was adjourned till Monday, May 3 for the testimony of the next prosecution witness.
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