Justice Moses Richards of the special criminal court in Banjul has warned that if Lawyer Buba Jawo, defence counsel for one Mamina Bojang does not appear in court on November 9, 2009, his state brief will be withdrawn and given to another lawyer.

Justice Richards made this remarks following the court's observation that the accused person had been coming to the court on several occasions without Buba Jawo, his lawyer, being present. The accused, Mamina Bojang, is alleged to have had carnal knowledge of a girl without her consent. At last Thursday's sitting, State Counsel AM Yusuf informed the court, that there was an agreement between the accused person and the victim's family, and explained that the parties were trying to settle the matter out of court.

He lamented the fact that the defence counsel, Buba Jawo, could have facilitated the agreement but had been absent. Justice Moses Richards then ordered the court clerk, Ms Sarata Janneh Touray, to send a hearing notice to Buba Jawo to appear before the court on the next adjourned date.