The High Court in Banjul has ordered part of the criminal trial of murder accused Sanna Manjang to be conducted behind closed doors to allow a protected witness to testify without public exposure.

Proceedings resumed before Justice S.K. Jobarteh under heightened security, with the court directing that the day’s hearing be held in camera, a legal procedure that excludes members of the public and the media from the courtroom.

The move was made to safeguard the identity and security of a prosecution witness whose testimony forms part of the state’s case against the accused.

Because of the court’s protection order and the confidential nature of the proceedings, details of the witness’s evidence were not made public.

Mr Manjang is facing multiple charges, including murder and assault, in one of the country’s most closely watched criminal trials.

The decision to hear evidence in private underscores the court’s efforts to balance the principle of open justice with the need to protect vulnerable or sensitive witnesses whose safety could be at risk if their identities were disclosed.

Following the completion of the protected testimony phase, the case was adjourned to June 19, when the prosecution is expected to call its eighth witness.

The trial continues.

By Adama Makasuba