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Magistrate MBai Adjourns Case To April 7^Th

By Wise Man, Our Chief Western Region Correspondent.

About eighty four residents of Kombo Central, were Monday arraigned before senior magistrate  Edrissa Fafa MBai, on felony charges. The detainees who were escorted in court by armed paramilitary police, are standing trial at the Brikama magistrate court, on violence related charges. They have been accused of  setting ablaze the house of Alkalo Lamin Jarju and three other cars.

Court papers read in court, revealed that the men conspired to cause harm and disorderly conduct in Kombo Central. Police say the accused persons created panic, anxiety and property loss during their Sunday disturbances.

84 people have been charged in connection with the incident, which left dozens of inhabitants hospitalized. Court papers say villagers from Kerewan and Makumbaya attacked Alkalo Jarju’s residence, following a court ruling which says Jarju was the owner of the contested piece of land in the region. Unhappy with the court, verdict angry villagers resort to using violence to vent their anger against the court verdict.

The Brikama magistrate court was overcrowded by curious onlookers. Police resorted to closing the courthouse main gate in bid to stop people from entering the building. It was jammed.

The prosecution had asked the court to refuse the accused persons bail, pending the completion of their investigations. The prosecution said  the release of the accused persons, might jeopardize ongoing investigations into the case. The accused persons were placed under holding charge, pending the completion of the investigations.

Consequently, the accused persons were remanded in jail. The case has been set for hearing on April 7^Th 2008. The accused persons will take their plea on April 7^Th 2008.

Meanwhile, sources reaching this paper said Commissioner Abdou FM Badjie and Paramount chief Demba Sanyang were behind the incident. Commissioner Badjie himself was seen in court Monday. Badjie walked into Magistrate MBai’s chambers, before the case was called in court. Many are suspicious about his activities. His presence in court, raises some eyebrows among families, whose loved ones are currently detained by the state.

Both Badjie and Sanyang’s jobs are on line. Their failure to take the necessary action to avert the incident, is likely to cost them their jobs. The President was said to be very upset.