The AG Chambers, yesterday, took over the prosecution of the April 2008 Babylon Attack case, with Buba Bojang appearing as the new state prosecutor.

The April incident, which sparked a wave of panic in the country, saw a colossal destruction of properties in a violent protest by a group of angry natives of Makumbaya and surrounding village, Kombo North. The protesters were trying to reclaim back what they said is their land from Lamin Jarju of Babylon Village. Ninety-four people are currently on trial for their involvement in the incident.

When the case resumed before Senior Magistrate EF M'Bai of the Brikama Magistrates Court, Bojang informed the court that he had replaced police prosecutor ASP Juldeh Camara. He told the court that the state had decided to take over the prosecution of the case. He added that he recently received the case files from the police, and that he had started reviewing it to familiarise himself with its content.

Considering the huge number of accused persons, Bojang appealed to the court for more time in order to carefully study the files so that he could better equip himself.

Bojang then applied for a month-long adjournment of the trial, but this was turned down by the presiding Magistrate, M'bai. He then reframed: "I am therefore applying for an adjournment of the case at the convenience of the court, which shall enable me carry out my work more efficiently."

In his reaction, Lawyer Antouman Gaye, the defence counsel for the accused persons, told the court that some of the accused persons were farmers and that the court needs to make a speedy trial before the rainy season begins.

Magistrate M'Bai then subsequently granted the application and adjourned the case to Monday, May 19, for continuation.