After nearly two years of a legal battle on a charge of murder, the High court in Banjul on Monday, presided over by Justice Ebrima Jaiteh, finally set aside July 14th, 2021 to deliver a verdict in the alleged protracted murder trial involving – Yankuba Touray, a former strong piece of the defunct AFPRC mechanism that ruled the Gambia for 22 years.
The trial judge, Justice Ebrima Jaiteh made the final declaration after the prosecuting officer representing the State, Abdul Maita Yusuf, and the defense lawyer for Mr. Touray, lawyer Abdoulie Sissohor finally adopted their brief of arguments.
Counsel Sissohor contended that he filed his brief dated May 11th and relied on all the arguments. He consequently urged the court to discharge and acquit Mr. Touray.
The State and its lawyers led by the acting director of Public Prosecution, AM Yusuf also adopted their briefs of arguments while urging the court to convict and sentence Mr. Touray as charged.
The suspect, Yankuba Touray is prosecuted on a murder charge for his alleged involvement in the assassination of the former AFPRC Junta finance minister, Ousman Koro Ceesay. Mr. Touray had refused to give evidence when he appeared before the Truth-seeking Commission, claiming constitutional immunity. He has since been charged and detained at the State Central Prison, in Mile2.
So far during the marathon trial, the State presented nine witnesses in order to establish a prima facie case (based on the first impression) which include a confessed serial killer, Alagie Kanyi, who confirmed before the Truth Commission and the court that Yankuba Touray participated in the alleged murder of his cabinet colleague, Ousman ‘Koro’ Ceesay who died mysteriously in June 1995 at Touray’s resident in Kololi.
If found guilty, Yankuba Touray could be sentenced to death or life imprisonment.