By: Cecilia E.L. Mendy
The High Court Tuesday granted the state a final adjournment in the ongoing criminal trial involving accused person Sanna Manjang.
The court presided over by Justice Sidi K. Jobarteh granted the adjournment after the prosecution informed the court that it was unable to proceed with the testimony of Prosecution Witness Eight (PW8).
The state was represented by Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions E.R. Dougan, while counsel S.K. Jobe appeared for the accused.
The matter was scheduled for the testimony of PW8. However, the prosecution informed the court that it had written to explain its inability to proceed with the witness’s testimony and apologised for the inconvenience. The state subsequently applied for another adjournment, assuring the court that it would take the necessary steps to ensure progress in the matter.
In response, defence counsel S.K. Jobe said he was unclear about the prosecution’s reference to taking “necessary steps”. He recalled that at the previous sitting, the witness had reportedly arrived late and noted that several names remained on the prosecution’s witness list but had not yet been called to testify.
Counsel further questioned what arrangements the state intended to make regarding those witnesses and their availability.
He also reminded the court that it had earlier been agreed that witnesses would be brought on consecutive hearing dates to expedite the proceedings, but that arrangement had not materialised.
Responding to the concerns raised by the defence, the prosecution stated that the issue relating to the witness who arrived late had already been addressed during a previous adjournment. The state further assured the court that it was not seeking repeated adjournments and had no intention of showing disrespect to the court.
Delivering her ruling, Justice Jobarteh confirmed that the court had received the state’s letter requesting an adjournment.
She cautioned that while the court was granting the application, it would be the final adjournment allowed in the matter.
“The court is granting the adjournment sought by the state. However, this shall be the last adjournment that the court will grant in this case,” Justice Jobarteh ruled.
The matter was subsequently adjourned to July 17th, 2026, for the testimony of PW8.
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