By Buba Gagigo
After five years of trial, Justice Kumba Sillah-Camara has on Wednesday sentenced to death for the murder of Ebrima Solo Sandeng, Yankuba Badjie, ex-director of the NIA (1st accused); Sheikh Omar Jeng ex-director of operations (3rd accused); Baboucarr Sallah (4th accused); Tamba Masarreh (7th accused); and Lamin Darboe (the 8th accused).
The other accused Louis Gomez, ex-deputy director of the said agency (2nd accused) died in the course of the trial while in the custody of the State; and Yusupha Jammeh, (5th accused person) was acquitted by the Court before the end of the trial upon the State’s application for his acquittal for lack of evidence to continue prosecuting him; and Haruna Suso (6th accused person) is discharged and acquitted in all counts and he shall be released.
All the lawyers who used to represent the accused persons withdrew their representation.
The accused persons have been asked to stay at Mile 2 by the Judge for their failure to comply with her orders.
Except Lamin Lang Sanyang, The accused persons refused to enter the dock the last time they came to court.
They remain seated despite the Judge’s order that they must get in the dock.
Their refusal is a protest to the Judge’s insistence to continue with the case despite the call by the accused persons to recuse herself in the case.
Reading the judgement at the High Court in Banjul yesterday, Justice Kumba Sillah-Camara said:
“Due to heinous crimes committed by 1st, 3rd, 4th, 7th and 8th (Yankuba Badjie, Sheikh Omar Jeng, Babucarr Sallah, Tamba Masarreh and Lamin Darboe) accused persons which led to the gruesome murder of the late solo Sandeng:
“One, 1st, 3rd, 4th, 7th and 8th (Yankuba Badjie, Sheikh Omar Jeng, Babucarr Sallah, Tamba Masarreh and Lamin Darboe) are sentenced each to death for the murder of Solo Sandeng for count two which shall be carried in with accordance with the law sub section 28 of the criminal code.
“The 1st, 3rd, 4th, 7th and 8th (Yankuba Badjie, Sheikh Omar Jeng, Babucarr Sallah, Tamba Masarreh and Lamin Darboe) accused persons are sentenced to each ten years in prison for count one, for conspiracy to murder contrary to section 204 of the criminal code.
“The 1st, 3rd, 4th, 7th and 8th (Yankuba Badjie, Sheikh Omar Jeng, Babucarr Sallah, Tamba Masarreh and Lamin Darboe) accused persons are sentenced each to five years in prison for each count 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 8 for causing harm to Nogoi Njie, Modou Ngum, Kafu Bayo, Ebrima Jabang, Fatou Camara and Fatoumata Jawara contrary to section 214 of the criminal code.
“The 1st, 3rd, 4th, 7th and 8th (Yankuba Badjie, Sheikh Omar Jeng, Baboucarr Sallah, Tamba Masirreh and Lamin Darboe) accused persons are sentenced each to five years in prison for the offence of conspiracy in committing felony for each counts 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14 contrary section 368 of the criminal code.
“The 9th accused person (Lamin Lang Sanyang) sentenced to ten years in prison for count 15 and ten years in prison for count 16.
“The 9th accused person (Lamin Lang Sanyang) is sentenced to five years in prison for count 17 for the account of forgery contrary of section 322 of the criminal code.
“The 9th accused person (Lamin Lang Sanyang) is sentenced to five years in prison for count 18 for making documents without authority contrary to section 332 of the criminal code.
“The 1st, 3rd and 9th accused persons (Yankuba Badjie, Sheikh Omar Jeng and Lamin Lang Sanyang) are sentenced each to five years in prison for count 19 for the offence of fabricating evidence to intend to deceive judicial proceedings contrary section 98 of the criminal code.
“The 1st accused person (Yankuba Badjie) is sentenced to one year in prison for count 20 for the offence of disobedience to duty contrary to section 115 of the criminal code.
“The 1st and 3rd accused persons (Yankuba Badjie and Sheikh Omar Jeng) are sentenced to each eight years in prison for count 21 for the offence of a abducting to murder contrary to section 235 of the criminal code
“The 1st and 3rd accused persons (Yankuba Badjie and Sheikh Omar Jeng) are sentenced each to six years in prison for each count 22, 23, 24 and 25 for the offences of abducting in order to subject persons with Severe harm contrary to section 237 of the criminal code,” the judgment stated.
The prosecution team in the case of the 9 National Intelligence Officers was headed by Lawyer Antouman A.B. Gaye and comprised of Rachel Y. Mendy, Lamin S. Camara, Yassin Senghore and Combeh Gaye .
The accused persons were standing trial on twenty-five charges ranging from murder, causing grievous harm, accessory, conspiracy to commit felony, fraudulently preparing a death certificate, forgery, making document without authority, fabricating evidence, disobedience to statutory and abducting.
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