By Nicholas Bass
Defense lawyer O. Susso yesterday at Banjul High Court accused State prosecutors of detaining his client at Mile Two Central Prison beyond constitutional requirement without trial.
Lawyer Susso made the announcement yesterday before Justice Ebrima Jaiteh where he represents Ousainou Jarju an accused who is standing trial on criminal charges and detained at the state central prison of mile 2 for three years and five (5) months without trail.
The accused sometime in September 2021 was charged by the police prosecutors and was initially arraigned before a magistrate court in Brikama before finally referred to the high court in Banjul.
Defense lawyer Susso vehemently said that the detention of Jarju without trail was a violation of his right to be tried within reasonable time as envisage under Section 24 of the 1997 Constitution.
Defense lawyer Susso contended that the prosecutors did not provide sufficient reason for the continuous detention of his client with trial.
At that juncture, the State lawyer F Drammeh pleaded with the court to grant the accused Ousainou Jarju bail and to give chance to the State to trace the case file.
The trail judge, Justice consequently adjourned the matter to March 25 when he is expected to deliver his judgement.