UDP’s trio acquitted, discharged

The United Democratic Party’s (UDP) Kombo East candidate, in the 2006 National Assembly election, Lamin R Darboe, alongside Buba Darboe and one Jerreh Fatty, were on Tuesday, discharged by Magistrate Ayoub John Njie of the Brikama Magistrates Court.

Both R Darboe and his co-accused had been standing trial for allegedly causing bodily harm to Kebba Gibba, the complainant, in the aftermath of the election.

Handing down his judgment, Magistrate Njie said the accused persons were brought before the court since May, 2006, and that the case had suffered series of “unreasonable adjournment”. He alluded to Section 24(1) of the constitution, to justify his judgment to acquit and discharge the accused persons.

In a similar case, Magistrate Njie also discharged Jerreh Fatty, also a UDP supporter, who was standing trial on similar charge. He told the court that his verdict was based on the lack of diligent prosecution. The magistrate said since Mr Fatty was brought before the court in August 2006, the prosecution had been failing to provide any witness for the trial to proceed.