Gambia News : Prosecution Closes Case in Femi Peters’ Trial

Feb 03,2010 00:00 by lamin

The trial of the opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) campaign manager Femi Peters, proceeded yesterday at the Kanifing Magistrate’s Court with the prosecution closing its case.

The prosecution officer Inspector Fadera, who is representing the Inspector General of Police IGP, after calling his forth witness, yesterday informed the court that, they have now closed their case.

During the last sitting of the court, prosecution called its fourth witness to testify against Mr. Peters, only to inform the court at the latest sitting yesterday that the prosecution instead decides to close its case.

The defense counsel, Lawyer Darboe was not present at the court when this submission was made, but his learned colleague, senior Lawyer Neneh Chungan stood for him. She replied that she was informed that the prosecution was to call its last witness, applying for a short adjournment to enable them (defense counsel) to open their defense.

The Principal Magistrate Kayode Olajabutu who presided over the case in place of Principal Magistrate Joseph Emmanuel Ikpala, subsequently adjourned the case to 15th February, 2010, at 12.00pm.

Readers would recall that Femi Peters is charged with two counts of “Control of procession” and “Use of loud speaker” under Public Order Act, due to holding a political rally at Serrekunda without a permit from the IGP. However, this charge is strongly denied by the accused, maintaining that his party has written to the IGP on several occasions for a permit without success.