Magistrate Kumba Sillah Reported Sick- Murder Case Involving Paramilitary Helper Suffered Another Set Back!!

By Malick B. B. Jagana - Bundung

Another setback on the trial of paramilitary officer accused of killing Sheriff Minteh, as the presiding Magistrate Kumba Sillah was reported sick. Magistrate Sillah could show up in court due to ailing health conditions, sources close to the court, have revealed.

The murder trial of Dodo Janneh has been marred by series of adjournments. Judgment is yet to be delivered due to lack of regular sittings. Each time the case is called in court, the defense or the prosecution would come up with an application for an adjournment. Bringing witnesses to court has also been a major problem.

The Lodon Corner Boy Sheriff Minteh met his untimely death when an assistant of the drug squad Dodou Janneh killed him during a raid in their neighborhood. The police were cracking down on drug peddlers in London Corner when the incident happened.

The matter was scheduled to be heard by the Bundung Magistrates Court yesterday, but out of the three lawyers representing the accused person, only one lawyer showed up in court. Lawyer Lamin Camara was present in court briefly before the matter was adjourned. The case could not proceed due to the magistrate’s absence. The magistrate was said to be sick and could not make it in court.

"This is not fair. I am frustrated with such a slow pace of the trial of my late brother. If it were one of us who killed a policeman, there would have been no waste of time. We would have been imprisoned a long time." One of them said.

The court clerk said the case resumes on 5th February 2008. “Well who knows if the lawyer that was present would not be absent and those who were perpetually absent not be absent or the Magistrate would not be frustrated by the disappearance of the prosecutor to adjourn it to the 14th February to show how they love their job. Whatever it takes, the family and friends of the accused and the deceased are all in eager anticipation of a speedy trial in the case.” said sources close to the court.