The criminal trial of the 34 alleged Babylon arsonists has suffered another setback on Tuesday, December 29, 2009 before Magistrate Emmanuel Amadi of the Brikama Magistrates Court.

The 34 accused persons are facing multiple charges of willful damage to properties, going armed in  public, setting fire on properties on September 23rd, 2008 at the village of Babylon, between Lamin Daranka and Macumbaya village in the Kombo North district of Western Region.

When the matter came up yesterday, Defence Counsel, H. Gaye intimated the court that the state prosecutor, Senior State Counsel Nebo Jones, who is hearing the case, was out of the jurisdiction for the Christmas holiday.

Lawyer Gaye told the court that the state counsel had intimated her that she would write a memo to transfer the case to another state lawyer. She however said it is unclear as to whether the state counsel had written the memo or not before traveling. Lawyer Gaye however craved the court’s indulgence to grant a short adjournment. The case was then adjourned to January 12, 2010 by Magistrate Amadi and ordered that a hearing notice be sent to the Attorney General’s Chambers.