Radio Journalist and Co. trial fails to proceed

BB Baldeh WCR

The criminal trial involving sport presenter and producer for West Coast Radio, WCR Bakary B. Baldeh and four golf-workers (Lamin Drammeh, Lamin Tamba, Almamy Jagne and Bakary Njie) has been delayed.

The setback followed Magistrate Sheriff B. Tabally’s absence from court on May 16, 2011. The accused are standing trial on two counts of “conspiracy to commit felony” and “prohibition to the conduct of the breach of the peace”. Charges they’ve all denied. They have been earlier on exonerated on a charge of “incitement to violence” after the defence argued that the charge is not known to law.

The trial emanate from a February 11 sports programme in which Baldeh hosted two golf-workers on WCR who criticized the President of the Gambia Golf Association Ebrima Jawara of un fair treatment, during an international golf tournament sponsored by President Yahya Jammeh.

This, police in Banjul claimed to be criminal and subsequently proffered charges against them. Jawara is the son of former Gambian President, Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara.  

The case was scheduled to begin at 0900GMT on Monday; however, it was delayed until mid-day when journalists consulted the court clerk only to be informed the case cannot proceed due to the Magistrate’s absence.

The case has been rescheduled to continue on Tuesday, May 24, 2011.