Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – The High Court has ruled that there is sufficient evidence for the trial of Katim Drammeh to proceed, following charges against him for causing the death of Bakary Keita through reckless driving in 2021.

Presiding judge Justice Ebrima Jaiteh dismissed a “no case to answer” submission filed by the defense, concluding that the prosecution had established a prima facie case against the accused. The ruling represents a significant development in a trial that raises broader concerns about public safety, accountability, and the enforcement of traffic laws.

Drammeh stands accused of operating a commercial van that collided with an ambulance on the Banjul-Serrekunda Highway on January 2, 2021. The impact of the crash led to the death of 27-year-old Bakary Keita, who sustained fatal head injuries.

The prosecution presented evidence from six witnesses, including Dr. Lamin K. Ceesay, the physician who treated Keita at the hospital. Although not a pathologist, Dr. Ceesay described the injuries as “severe” and “life-threatening,” linking the trauma directly to the accident. His testimony was corroborated by police reports, eyewitness accounts, and a statement from the ambulance driver.

Eyewitness Mbye Gabidone testified that Drammeh ignored signals to yield to the ambulance and dangerously swerved into the emergency lane. Another witness, Moses Gibba, recounted how passengers in the van pleaded with Drammeh to reduce his speed—warnings that were disregarded.

Rejecting the defense’s claim that the absence of a formal autopsy created a gap in the chain of causation, Justice Jaiteh held that “both direct and circumstantial evidence presented by the prosecution establish a coherent narrative of reckless behavior.”

He cited legal precedent, including the case of IGABELE v. The State, to reinforce the standard for rejecting a “no case to answer” application. “A reasonable tribunal, properly directed, could convict on the evidence adduced,” Justice Jaiteh ruled.

The case will now proceed to the defense stage. If convicted, Drammeh could face serious penalties for the alleged offense.