The Court of Appeal has today adjourned the State’s application seeking leave to appeal the acquittal of Ousainou Bojang and Amie Bojang after defence lawyers informed the court that they had only recently been served and had filed an affidavit in opposition.

The application arises from a High Court judgment delivered by Justice Ebrima Jaiteh on 30 March 2026, which acquitted and discharged both accused persons.

Following the ruling, the Attorney General’s Chambers filed a Notice of Appeal on 31 March 2026 and later submitted an amended Notice of Appeal on 29 April 2026. The State is now asking the Court of Appeal to grant leave to challenge the acquittal and regularise the appeal process.

When the matter came before a three-member panel comprising Justice N. Salla-Wadda (PCA), Justice B.V.P. Mahoney and Justice A. Saho-Ceesay, Director of Public Prosecutions A.M. Yusuf appeared alongside F. Touray for the State. The respondents were represented by B.M.O. Badjie, holding brief for counsels J. Darboe and L.K. Mboge, together with J. Jeng.

Opening proceedings, Justice Salla-Wadda asked whether the respondents had been served with the State’s motion.

Defence counsel confirmed receipt of the application on 29 May and informed the court that an affidavit opposing the motion had already been filed.

Counsel further told the court that Amie Bojang had been personally served with the court process and had been instructed to provide a copy to her legal team.

The State’s motion seeks four orders, including leave to appeal the acquittal, a declaration that the original Notice of Appeal was competently filed, leave to amend that notice, and recognition of the amended notice filed on 29 April 2026.

After hearing both parties, Justice Salla-Wadda noted that the respondents were only served on 29 May and were therefore entitled to sufficient time to respond.

The court subsequently adjourned the matter to Monday for a definite hearing of the State’s application.

By Adama Makasuba