Promised Demand for GAMCOTRAP Officials’ Acquittal Deferred

Banjul Magistrates’ Court was on Friday scheduled to hear defense counsels’ demand to free the two GAMCOTRAP officials accused of theft, but the trial failed to proceed for reason/s unclear to The Daily News.  
The accused persons and one of the four defense counsels were available in the courtroom, but left before the trial magistrate showed-up in court. 
Dr Isatou Touray, executive director and Amie Bojang Sissoho, programme coordinator of GAMCOTRAP are accused of stealing €30, 000.00 provided to them by YALOCAMBA SOLIDARIDAD, a Spain-based NGO.
Both pleaded innocence.
The trial has been on-going for six months and eight state witnesses have testified against the two prominent women’s rights activists.
However, defense lawyers had earlier promised to urge the court to acquit and discharge them, because in their view, the state has failed to produce substantial evidence to warrant the continuation of the trial nor to link them to the said theft.
It followed the announcement by the prosecuting police officer, Superintendent Sainey Joof that the state is satisfied with evidence against the accused persons.
Dr Touray and assistant were arrested last year and detained at the police station in Banjul until the following day when they appeared at the Banjul Magistrates’ Court.
Their first move to secure bail failed and they were further remanded for several days. They were subsequently granted bail on their second appearance.
The trial is now expected to resume on May 26.