The Basse High Court started sittings yesterday amidst much excitement among the people of Basse, Judicial Secretary Ngui Janneh told The Point yesterday afternoon.
Madam Janneh, who was speaking to this paper from Basse, said the Hon. Chief Justice felt the need to move the court to Basse so as to deal with the matters in Basse and the surroundings as most witnesses for the pending matters from the area hail from there.

Among the matters covered by the jurisdiction of the court, revealed Madam Janneh, are rape and murder-related cases. High Court Judge Justice Manageng and two state counsels from the Department of State for Justice, Mrs Jallow and Mrs. Wood, are said be in Basse to deal with pending matters emanating from the area, while Defence counsels Lamin Jobarteh, Lamin Camara, Neneh Chongan, L.K. Mboge, Mr. MacCarthy and Madam Sadia, who have all been paid by the state, are also in Basse for the trials.

Madam Janneh also told The Point that the Hon. Chief Justice in his drive to bring justice to the doorstep of every Gambian plans to set up the court in Basse twice every term. She also thanked Governor Khan and Police Commissioner, Pa Sylva, for their support.

The courts that will sit for a period of one week are expected to deal with all the matters in Basse.

Hearings are to take place from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.