Principal Magistrate Tabally of the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court on Thursday withdrew the charges against the 5th and 19th accused persons, Ogika Amenechi and Faity Jobe respectively.

This development came following an application made by the prosecutor, Chief Inspector Jammeh immediately when the matter came up. In his reply, defence counsel, Lamin S. Camara said that he did not object to the application made but urged the court to not only discharge them but also to acquit them.  The presiding magistrate granted the prosecution’s application, acquitted and discharged 5th and 19th accused persons.

At this juncture, the prosecutor announced the presence of another witness (PW4) to testify. The witness identified himself as 1st class 4137 Abdoulie Jallow, a police officer attached to the Tallinding Police Station. He revealed that on the 6th of April, 2012, while on campus, they received a call from their officer commanding, Landing Bojang that there is an operation at the Dream Park.

He said they later left and upon their arrival, they were briefed that there were some men and women around Duplex who are suspected to be homosexuals. He stated that they were also told to go and check if they were homosexuals and that they should arrest them if they were suspects.

He said on their way to the scene, they saw men and women running and theyarrested them and took them to Kotu Police Station. He said that the accused persons were later taken to Kairaba Police Station while he and his colleagues continued on their patrol.

During cross-examination by defence counsel, L.S. Camara, the witness answered that eight police officers were on patrol on the same day but pointed out that he cannot remember all their names. The witness also responded that they saw men and women running well before their arrival.

Hearing continues on the 12th July, 2012, at 2pm.