The doctor’s name was not mentioned when the case resumes onbut he is expected to come from the department of surgery, hospital management board at the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital.
Alhajie Jobe is standing trial on a five-count charge of an act with seditious intention, seditious publication, and possession of seditious publication, giving false information to public servant, and reckless and negligent act. His co-accused, Mbye Bittay is facing a single count of making preparation to do act with seditious intention.
Both accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges against them. Jobe’s counsel, S Gaye said “He is a very crucial witness” referring to the doctor to be subpoenaed when the judge, Justice Emmanuel Ahmadi asked him: “Why not close the case”. “The witness is a doctor and he treated the accused,” Gaye said
It could be recalled that the case has taken a different dimension after Jobe’s lawyer claimed that his client was tortured, pressuring the court to settling the dust over the allegation (trial within a trial) before proceeding with the main trial.
However, Jobe’s torture allegation prior to making his statements before a panel of investigators at the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) was dismissed.
Former editor Jobe’s lawyers have made several attempts to secure his release from state custody since his arrest on February 7, 2013.
By Binta A Bah
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