High Court presided over by Justice Jaiteh, has ordered West Coast Radio to produce the audio recording of an interview between Peter Gomez and Abdoulie Sanyang that was broadcast on the station’s popular “Coffee Time” programme on August 14, 2025.
The order was issued following an application by the defence counsel, S.L. Jorbateh, seeking to subpoena the proprietor or a designated representative of West Coast Radio. The purpose of the subpoena is to compel the production of the audio recording.
Defence counsel Lamin J. Darboe, representing the accused, raised no objection to the application.
In issuing the directive, Justice Jaiteh stated that the court was satisfied that the application is meritorious.
“The particulars of offence in counts one and two directly relate to a live radio interview broadcast on West Coast Radio,” Justice Jaiteh explained. “And the audio recording of that interview is therefore not only relevant, but material to the just determination of the issues before the court.”
Justice Jaiteh relied on certain provisions of the law to grant the order. He stated that section 221 of the Evidence Act 1994 allows for a person to be summoned solely to produce a document (or, in this case, a recording) without giving personal evidence.
Justice Jaiteh also referenced section 160 of the Criminal Procedure Act of 2025 which empowers the court to summon any person in possession of material evidence, requiring them to bring and produce to the court documents and writings in his or her possession or power.
Applying the legal provisions, Justice Jaiteh concluded that the audio recording constitutes “material evidence in the possession, custody, or control of West Coast Radio.”
“Accordingly, an order compelling its production is proper, lawful, and necessary,” Justice Jaiteh declared.
Justice Jaiteh issued an order commanding the proprietor of West Coast Radio, or their designated representative, in the name of the Republic, to appear before the Court and produce the audio recording of the Peter Gomez and Abdoulie Sanyang interview aired on the West Coast.
The case adjourned to November 24, 2025, at 2 PM for the production of the interview.
By Kexx Sanneh
