Justice Sidi K. Jobarteh maintained the remand conditions for the accused person, Sanna Manjang, pending the state’s filing of a formal bill of indictment.
The ruling came after a bail application was made by Sanna Manjang’s counsel, Sheriffo Kumba Jobe.
Counsel S.K. Jobe applied to the court to grant his client bail, arguing that Sanna Manjang should not remain detained indefinitely while the state prepares its indictment.
Counsel Jobe also brought to the court’s attention that his client was being denied access to his lawyer, an issue he stressed as a fundamental breach of the accused person’s rights.
“My client has a right to be respected,” Jobe stated, insisting that the court must intervene to ensure the accused person’s constitutional right to access a legal representative is upheld.
In response, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for the State informed the court that their investigators had faced difficulties, claiming that Sanna Manjang had “refused to talk to the investigator,” making it challenging for the state to ascertain “whether he needed the services of a lawyer.”
In her ruling, Justice Sidi K. Jobarteh made a decisive order on the right to counsel, directing the Director General of Prisons to immediately grant Sanna Manjang access to his lawyer. However, she elected to uphold the Magistrate’s Court detention order, maintaining that Sanna Manjang remain in custody pending the filing of the indictment.
To prevent undue delay, Justice Jobarteh also issued a strict directive to the State.
The court ordered the prosecution to file the bill of indictment before the next adjourned date.
Full details coming
