Lawyer Sherif Marie Tambedou has called on Justice Joseph Wowo of the High Court in Banjul to discharge one Musa Joof unconditionally from the libel charge pressed against him.

Lawyer Tambedou made this submission last Wednesday in the libel case involving the state and Musa Joof. The accused is alleged to have written a petition on March 2, 2007 to the president of the Republic of The Gambia, accusing the then Sheriff of the High Court and the Judicial secretary of sitting on the execution of a judgement; thus depriving him of right for almost one year.

It was ascertained that the said High Court officials who were recently promoted as High Court judges have been implicated in the recent financial scam at the Judiciary. Tambedou disclosed that it is being two years and one month since the accused was charged with the alleged offence and the hearing or trial of the accused have not even started.

He cited Section 19 of The Gambian Constitution and submitted that two years have elapsed and the accused had since not been tried within a reasonable time. Lawyer Tambedou argued that the accused have right to know his fate and urged the court to discharge him unconditionally.

In his rejoinder, the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Richard Chenge craved the court’s indulgence to grant an adjournment to enable him to respond to Lawyer Tambadou’s submission. The case was adjourned to January 25, 2010 for the state to respond.