Court Says Femi Peters Has Case To Answer!!!!

Magistrate Dismisses Darboe’s Application For No-Case-To-Answer!!!

By Staff Reporter Bakary Gibba, Banjul

Politician Femi Peters is far from securing his legal freedom, as a magistrate court in Kanifing Wednesday dismissed a no-case-to answer submission made by his attorney Lawyer Ousainou Darboe. Peters who is third in command in the UDP hierarchy, has been ordered to enter his defense in the case: “the Inspector General of police versus Femi Peters.” The trial magistrate Kayode Olajabutu dismissed Mr. Darboe’s request to free his client on the basis of lack of “evidence, and merit” in regards to the said case.

After evaluating the arguments, and counter arguments made by both the prosecution, and the defense, magistrate Olajabutu ruled that prosecution had established a prima-facie case against Mr. Peters. In that, the state had an overwhelming evidence to warrant for the prosecution of the accused.

Magistrate Olajabutu ruled that Femi Peters was the main brain behind the rally, which was held without a police permit. He said the accused person Femi Peters signed the rally permit application that was forwarded by the UDP, and went as far as visiting the police headquarters in Banjul to make a follow up in regards to the status of their permit application.

Consequently, the magistrate dismissed Darboe’s application, and ordered Peters to enter his defense.  The case has been adjourned to March 17^th to enable Mr. Peters to give his side of the story.

Lawyer Darboe was absent in court at the time of the ruling. Senior Lawyer Neneh Chongan held brief for Mr. Darboe.

Femi Peters is standing trial for organizing an lawful assembly. If convicted, Peters risked facing between six months, and three years jail term. His attorney Mr. Darboe had repeatedly argued in court that the wrong person was being tried. He said the trial of Peters tantamount to prosecuting the constitution. Though, the court refused to entertain his arguments.