Hamadi Sowe, the only civilian charged with concealment of treason in the aftermath of the 21st March 2006 abortive coup yesterday appeared at the Banjul High Court where his trial was scheduled to continue.

However the trial could not proceed as the presiding judge, Justice Yamoa, was reported to be indisposed while the state prosecutor was also reported to have telephoned the court to say that they were unable to produce their witnesses.

It could be recalled that Hamadi Sowe was arrested and charged with concealment of treason alongside six military officers sometime after the coup attempt.

The six military officers are Captain Abdou Karim Jah, Captain Pierre John Mendy, Lt. Momodou Alieu Bah, Corporal Samba Bah, Lance Corporal Babou Janha and Private Alhagie Nying, who were tried by the Court Martial at the Yundum barracks and sentenced to between 10 and 25 years imprisonment for having been found guilty of involvement in the abortive coup.

Four other military officers, Capt. Bunja Darboe, Capt. Yahya Darboe, Capt. Wassa Camara and 2nd Lt. Pharing Sanyang, were also sentenced by the same court martial to life imprisonment on 19th April this year.

Three civilians, Tamsir Jasseh, Alieu Jobe and Omar Faal (Keita), were tried and found guilty as charged by the Banjul High Court, which sentenced them to 20 years imprisonment each with hard labour. Demba Dem, another of the accused persons, was acquitted and discharged by the same court on 9th August 2007.

Meanwhile the alleged mastermind, ex-Col. Ndure Cham, is said to be still at large.

Hamadi Sowe’s case was adjourned to 13th December 2007.