By Fatou Sowe
The state prosecution department at the Attorney Generals chambers has filed a one-count charge of murder against Sheikh Tijan Hydara [not the former justice minister] before Justice Zainab Jawara Alame of the high court in Banjul.
The accused person is charged with the offence of murder contrary to the laws of the Gambia, and the state is alleging that he on 26 November 2017 at Kerr Serign unlawfully caused the death of one Vanisha Faal by beating and strangling her.
Mr Hydara pleaded not guilty to the charge after which the state counsel M Singateh applied for an adjournment.
The defence lawyer L S Camara did not object to the application but urged the court to order the state to provide the defence with a copy of the CCTV footage which is listed as an exhibit in the indictment, saying that the accused has a constitutional right to same.
The counsel assured that the state will serve the defence with the demanded footage. Consequently, the court ordered that the state should serve the said copy of the footage to the defence before the next adjourned date.
The case resumes on 30 January 2018 for hearing.
