Justice Uduma who replaced Justice Ikpala (who has since been moved to the high court in Banjul) was expected to rule whether the matter should be referred to the Supreme Court for interpretation or not.
However, only the appellants’ lawyer was present in court and both the state prosecutor and the appellants were a no-show. Consequently, the judge adjourned the matter to December 17 for ruling.
Lawyers for the caliph Muhideen Hydara and the village alkalo Buyeh Touray, filed an appeal at the high court after the Brikama Magistrates Court turned down their application for a stay of proceedings on the basis that the lower court has jurisdiction to hear the case.
Muhideen Hydara and Buyeh Touray are on trial at the Brikama Magistrates Courts on two counts of conspiracy to commit misdemeanour and disobedience of lawful order. They are accused of disobeying a lawful order by refusing to perform Eid-el-Fitr prayers on 28 July, 2014 as announced by GRTS and instead performed the prayers on the 29th. They denied any wrongdoing.
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