The ECOWAS Community Court again adjourned the hearing of Musa Saidykhan’s torture case to September 21, 2010 to enable the Gambian government, the defendant in the case, to respond to amendments filed by the plaintiff.
The adjournment followed a request by Tale Aladi, a Nigerian lawyer, who represented the Gambia authorities, when the case was called on July 8.
Saidykhan’s counsel had filed a motion asking the court for leave to amend their earlier brief. The defence counsel informed the court that they were yet to receive a copy of the amended brief.
The case was adjourned for motion and adoption of written addresses.
Saidykhan, a former editor-in-chief of the banned Banjul-based The Independent newspaper, was among several victims who were illegally detained and suffered all manner of cruelty at the hands of the Gambian security agents in the aftermath of an alleged coup attempt in March 2006.
Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) initiated the action on Saidykhan’s behalf in order to seek justice for him.
