By Sering Mass Jallow
The Kanifing Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday granted the prosecution a final adjournment to produce a witness in the trial of Kanimang Bajo who was facing allegations of defrauding prospective pilgrims of D68 million.
The prosecution, led by Chief Police Prosecutor Abdoulie Sanneh, requested the adjournment after its intended witness, Omar Ceesay who was also among the complainants reportedly withdrew from testifying against the accused.
Sanneh told the court that the prosecution was unable to proceed without a witness and explained that Ceesay had been invited to Police Headquarters in Banjul for briefing where he informed the prosecution team that the complainants had agreed to pursue the matter as a civil case before the High Court.
The prosecution further told the court that Ceesay had indicated that he was advised by his legal representative not to testify in the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court, a development which affected the prosecution’s plan to present its first witness.
Defence Counsel M.L. Ceesay objected to the adjournment request, arguing that the prosecution had been given several opportunities to produce witnesses but had failed to do so.
Counsel Ceesay described the application as an attempt to delay the trial and argued that the prosecution’s inability to present evidence demonstrated a lack of readiness to proceed with the case.
He urged the court to strike out the matter on grounds of lack of diligent prosecution.
However, Magistrate A. Manneh rejected the defense application, stating that striking out a case of such seriousness, public interest and involving a substantial amount of money would not serve the interest of justice.
The magistrate granted the prosecution one final adjournment to produce a witness and ordered that the accused remain in custody at Mile II Central Prisons.
The case has been adjourned to 13 August 2026 for continuation of trial.