After almost two years of legal battle on a charge of murder, the High Court In Banjul presided over by justice Ebrima Jaiteh finally set aside july 14 when he is expected to deliver a verdict in the alleged protracted murder trial involving – Yankuba Touray, a former strong man of the defunct AFPRC and one-time minister of local government and lands.
The trial judge, Justice Ebrima Jaiteh made the final declaration after the prosecuting officer representing the state, AM Yusuf and the defence lawyer for Mr Touray, Lawyer Abdaulai Sissoho finally adopted their brief of arguments.
Adopting his brief of argument, Counsel Sissoho contended that he filed his brief dated since May 11 and relied on all the arguments and authorities therein and urged the court to discharge and acquit Mr Touray on a charge against him.
The state represented by a team of lawyers led by the acting director of public prosecution, AM Yusuf also adopted their brief of arguments while urging the court to convict and sentence Mr Touray as charged.
The suspect, Yankuba Touray is facing murder charge for his alleged involvement in the murder of the former AFPRC junta finance minister, Ousman “Koro” Ceesay. Mr Touray had refused to give evidence when he appeared before the TRRC, claiming constitutional immunity. He has since been charged and detained at the state central prison in mile2.
So far during the marathon trial, the presented nine witnesses in order to establish a prima facie case which include a confessed serial killer Alagie Kanyi who confirmed before the truth commission and the court Touray’s participation in the alleged murder of his cabinet colleague, Ousman ‘Koro’ Ceesay who died mysteriously in June 1995 at Touray’s resident in Kololi. If found guilty, Mr Touray could be sentenced to death or life in prison.