Magistrate Jawo of the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court yesterday, 14th May, 2007, expressed anger at Prosecutor 1748 Mballow’s absence in the ongoing case against Lamin Fatty, a former reporter with the now closed Independent newspaper.

Holding brief for 1748 Mballow, Prosecutor Jahateh told the court that his colleague had some administrative matters to look after and would come to the court in a short while. He therefore asked the magistrate to stand down the case.

Apparently exasperated by the excuse, Magistrate Jawo retorted that the absence of 1748 Mballow was both unacceptable and disrespectful, saying that Prosecutor Mballow should have informed the court beforehand.

However Prosecutor Jahateh maintained his plea for the magistrate to stand down the case since 1748 Mballow, he insisted, was on his way to the court. But the magistrate would not budge, eventually adjourning the case to 21st May 2007.