The 16 youths, out of which four are Gambians and twelve Senegalese, charged with terrorism related matters before the special criminal judge, Justice Moses Richards, will be defended by lawyer Edrisa Sissoho, Assan Martin and Lamin S. Camara.

On Monday 12th October, all the accused persons were in Court with all the defence counsels that are to defend them, but Justice Richards was indisposed prompting the clerk to adjourn all the cases set for the day. The terrorism case was adjourned to Monday 17 October.

The sixteen men namely; Former NIA Officer Kebba Seckan, Former Staff Sergeant Sam Kambai of the Gambia Armed Forces, Kemo Conteh, Samsideen Jammeh, all Gambians. The twelve Senegalese are, Alasana Thomas Jarju, Maulud Badjie, Lansana Prosper Sambou, Ousman Jarju, Mansour Jatta, Sedat Jatta, Fabia Nyafuneh, Pa Ousman Badjie, Sedat Jatta, Abdoulie Jatta, Mumini Bah and Abdoulie Jarju are charged with "prohibition of act of terrorism" contrary to section 3 (1) of the Anti Terrorism Act 2002. The particulars of offence stated that the sixteen men on 8th August 2006, at Darsilameh and diverse places within the Western Region of the Gambia, allegedly jointly conducted themselves in an unlawful act, which may have seriously destabilize or destroy the fundamental, political, constitutional , Economical and social structures of The Gambia.

The men were first arraigned before the Principal Magistrate (now Sheriff), Pa Harry Jammeh of the Brikama Magistrates' Court on 10 June 2009, they pleaded not guilty to the one count charges against them without legal representation.

Again on 24 June and 8 July, the case could not proceed. On 27 August, they re-appeared before the special criminal judge, Justice Moses Richards of the Banjul High Court on the same charge.

All the 16 accused men, except Kebba Seckan had a legal representation who is Lamin S. Camara, but was not in court on that day. On 10 September, they re-appeared again before Justice Richards, with Lawyer Camara appearing for Mr. Seckan.

The remaining fifteen men had no representation. Justice Richards adjourned the matter till 24 September to enable the State to provide lawyers for the rest of the accused persons. The case was adjourned to 1h October but Justice Richards was indisposed and it was once again adjourned to 19 October.

Foroyaa learnt from reliable sources that lawyers Edrisa Sissoho will be representing the fourteen men; Camara, Kebba Seckan and Martin will represent Sergeant Kambai and will join Sissoho to defend Kemo Conteh.