Senior Magistrate Lamin George of the Banjul Magistrates Court, yesterday overruled the application made by Lamin Camara, counsel for Oley Sey, the ex-nominated NAM, for the court to summon the director general of The Gambia Radio and Television Services (GRTS).

The GRTS DG was to produce a video tape and the reporter who covered the presentation of a D500,000 gift made by the president to the James Junkung Nursery School in Abuko.

In his application, Lawyer Camara said: “Your worship, this tape and the witness are material in the justice dispensation of this matter and this court has the jurisdiction as in pursuant of Section 117 of the CPC to issue summons. Two witnesses, PW1 (Yankuba Colley), who is  the mayor of the Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) and PW3 (Mary Gassama), specifically mentioned before this court that they were present at the time of the handing over ceremony, with GRTS crew. This is why it is absolutely imperative that the tape be produced before this court, since the entire proceeding was recorded. This will further help the court to reach a just decision in deciding this matter.”

In his response, Cadet Inspector Keita objected to the defense application on the grounds that the defense counsel did not furnish the court with sufficient reason to summon the director general and the reporter.

In his ruling, Magistrate Lamin George said after listening to both sides and carefully studying Section 117, he was not convinced that they was a need to approve the defense’s application.

The case was then adjourned October 22.