By Kaddy Jawo
The High Court of The Gambia, on Monday, rejected the bail application of former Minister of Local Government and Lands, Yankuba Touray, who is standing trial on charges of murder and contempt of court.Touray was charged with a single count of murder by the prosecutors at the Office of the Attorney General Attorney. In an unprecedented twist of events rarely seen in Gambian jurisprudence, the prosecution team is led by the Attorney General himself, Abubacarr Tambadou who upon Touray’s arrest said he will be ‘prosecuted, vehemently.”
Yankuba Touray is remanded in custody, for the murder of Ousman Koro Ceesay, until October 15 when his case will resume before the High Court. The state prosecutors requested for adequate time to prepare their case as they consider bringing additional murder charges against him.
Tambadou said the state is considering additional ten murder charges against Touray. Last week, Touray’s lawyer, Abdoulie Sisoho, made the bail application before Justice Ebrima Jaiteh.
Justice Jaiteh ruled that bail is not applicable for crimes punishable with life sentence and death as charge against Touray attract such consequences.After the Justice Jaiteh denied Touray bail, he was further remanded at Mile 2 until October 14, 2019 when his case resumed at High Court.
The court has also made a determination that it is not referring the case to Supreme Court for interpretations on the ground that Touray is not reliant on any specific clause in the constitution for his immunity claims.Justice Jaiteh ruled that Touray’s position is ambiguous since there is no specific law he is relying on as the court can, therefore, not make any assumption for him.