The trial of one of the suspected coup plotters of the 21st March 2006 abortive coup, Hamadi Sowe, is expected to continue at the Banjul High Court before Justice Yemoa.

Hamadi Sowe’s case file was produced before Justice Yemoa on Thursday, 22nd November 2007. After enquiring from the prison officers as to why the accused was not brought to be tried along with the other civilians, the officers replied that they were not informed that the accused should be brought to court.

It could be recalled that the accused, Hamadi Sowe, was the only civilian charged with concealment of treason alongside six military officers. The case has however stalled since the transfer of the military officers to court martial.

The six military officers include Capt. Abdou Karim Jah, Capt. Pierre John Mendy, Lt. Momodou Alieu Bah, Corporal Samba Bah, Lance Corporal Babou Janha and Private Alhagie Nying, who were on 19th April this year sentenced by the court martial to prison terms ranging from 10 years to 25 years imprisonment.

The other four military officers tried and sentenced by the court martial to life imprisonment are Capt. Bunja Darboe, Capt. Yahya Darboe, Capt. Wassa Camara and 2nd Lt. Pharing Sanyang.  

The three civilians, Tamsir Jasseh, Alieu Jobe and Omar Faal (Keita) were tried by the Banjul High Court and later sentenced to 20 years imprisonment with hard labour on 9th July this year for being found guilty of involvement in the 21st march abortive coup.

Hamadi Sowe’s trial is set for 6th December 2007.