The criminal trial of 94 accused persons who were involved in the Babylon Village riot in May this year, could not proceed yesterday due to the absence of the state prosecutor, Emmanuel Fagbenle, who is the director of Public Prosecution.

When the cased resumed at the Brikama Magistrates Court, yesterday, the presiding senior magistrate, EF M’Bai, told the court that he had been informed by the DPP of his indisposition due to some reasons.

However, Senior Magistrate M’Bai further urged the accused persons to maintain peace in order to ensure a speedy trial, reminding them that the adjournment of the case did not mean the end of it. He also told the accused persons that they should attend the court proceedings regularly and on time.

During yesterday’s sitting, the accused persons informed the court that some of their co-accused were absent due to transport constraints, adding that others were having their school exams. He later adjourned the case to July 9 for continuation of the proceedings.

The accused are demanding a land from one Lamin Jarju, a complainant, claiming that the landed property in question belongs to them.