Jambur arson case Defense objects to new charge

The defense counsel in the Jambur arson case, Lawyer Badou Conteh, has strongly objected to the prosecution’s intention to add a new count to the two criminal counts of conspiracy and arson.

Morro Gassama,Nuha Darboe,Foday Bojang and Mamudou Bojang are standing trial before Magistrate Pa Harry Jammeh of the Brikama Magistrates Court for allegedly setting fire to the house of the Jambur Alkalo. At Tuesday’s sitting, the prosecution told the court that it wants to add a third count, which is threatening to burn down the dwelling, to make it three counts but the defense counsel objected on the grounds that his clients had been already charged with the principal offense, which is arson.

The defence counsel declared that the prosecution cannot go around and charge them with threatening to burn. He said the prosecution must use one of the charges, either arson or threatening to burn but it cannot take both. At that juncture, the Magistrate Pa Harry Jammeh who is presiding over the case adjourned it to Friday 20, to make a ruling on the objection. The IGP was represented by Cadet ASP Samateh who was assisted by Sergeant Samura.