Former Minister Relies on Prosecution’s Evidences

A former Gambian information minister accused of treason was expected to open his defense on Monday, but he instead chose to rely on the evidences adduced by the prosecution.
Dr Amadou Scattered  Janneh is facing treason and sedition charges at the Special Criminal Court in Banjul while his alleged accomplices: Modou Keita, Ebrima Jallow and Michael C Ucheh, a Nigerian national are charged with sedition.
Details of the indictment reveal that the accused persons had printed-out and distributed hundreds of T-Shirts bearing the inscription: Coalition for Change The Gambia, End Dictatorship Now.  This, according to the state, is meant to embark on a regime change through a mass protests that had been scheduled for May 25 this year.
But neither Dr Janneh nor the other accused persons have accepted wrongdoing even after the testimonies of 14 state witnesses.
“My clients will not open their defence. We entirely rely on the evidences of the prosecution,” defense lawyer, Lamin Camara told the court on Monday.
And the trial judge, Emmanuel Nkea asked the prosecution to file a brief on December 27 and the defense will make a reply on January 3.
Hearing resumes January 9, 2012.