The Supreme Court of the Gambia is set to deliver its judgment on the appeal case of Yankuba Touray, who seeks to overturn his conviction and death sentence for the 1995 murder of former minister of finance Ousman Koro Ceesay.

In his closing address, director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Abdul Maita Yusuf urged the court to reject Touray’s appeal and uphold the conviction.

Yusuf emphasised that Touray’s involvement in the murder went beyond striking Ceesay with a pestle; he also participated in disposing of the body by burning it to conceal the crime.

Ceesay, who was reported to have had a disagreement with the AFPRC junta, was lured to Touray’s residence in Kerr Serigne in June 1995, where he was allegedly beaten to death by Touray, Edward Singhateh, and others. His charred remains were found in a vehicle along the Sukuta-Jambur highway, initially reported as a car accident.

However, investigations revealed that it was a deliberate attempt to cover up the murder.

Touray denied the charges, asserting he was elsewhere during the incident. The High Court found his alibi unconvincing, leading to his conviction and death sentence in July 2021. This decision was upheld by the Court of Appeal in December 2022.

Yusuf presented compelling evidence, including witness testimonies and forensic findings, that confirmed Touray’s direct role in both the murder and the disposal of Ceesay’s body. He also highlighted the systematic obstruction of investigations into the crime for over 20 years.

By Adama Makasuba