Henry Gomez walked free from court after Justice Ebrima Jaiteh threw out all seven criminal charges against him. The judge at the High Court in Banjul cleared Gomez of conspiracy, assault, robbery, and threatening violence allegations. These charges date back to October 2023, with Gomez first appearing in court on March 24, 2024. From the start, he maintained his innocence on every count.
The case fell apart because prosecutors brought only one witness, Lamin Manneh, to testify. Judge Jaiteh criticized the prosecution for causing major delays that stretched beyond a year. The court grew frustrated as prosecutors repeatedly asked to postpone hearings because they failed to bring their witnesses. The judge said these constant delays showed the prosecution team lacked proper preparation and disrespected Gomez's right to a timely trial.
The prosecution's only evidence was Gomez's cautionary statement, which actually helped his case. In this statement, Gomez denied all charges and provided an alibi for his whereabouts. Judge Jaiteh declared the evidence totally inadequate to continue the trial. He called the prosecution's behavior deplorable and said they clearly ignored basic principles of justice and fairness.
The judge pointed out how the prosecution's poor handling needlessly extended Gomez's time in custody and violated his basic rights. Finding zero evidence for a case against the accused, Justice Jaiteh acquitted Gomez on all seven counts and ordered his immediate release from custody. The judge also demanded a review of how state lawyers handle prosecutions to prevent similar failures and protect the rights of people accused of crimes.
The case fell apart because prosecutors brought only one witness, Lamin Manneh, to testify. Judge Jaiteh criticized the prosecution for causing major delays that stretched beyond a year. The court grew frustrated as prosecutors repeatedly asked to postpone hearings because they failed to bring their witnesses. The judge said these constant delays showed the prosecution team lacked proper preparation and disrespected Gomez's right to a timely trial.
The prosecution's only evidence was Gomez's cautionary statement, which actually helped his case. In this statement, Gomez denied all charges and provided an alibi for his whereabouts. Judge Jaiteh declared the evidence totally inadequate to continue the trial. He called the prosecution's behavior deplorable and said they clearly ignored basic principles of justice and fairness.
The judge pointed out how the prosecution's poor handling needlessly extended Gomez's time in custody and violated his basic rights. Finding zero evidence for a case against the accused, Justice Jaiteh acquitted Gomez on all seven counts and ordered his immediate release from custody. The judge also demanded a review of how state lawyers handle prosecutions to prevent similar failures and protect the rights of people accused of crimes.
