Two human rights lawyers in Gambia have raised concerns over the continued detention of a man accused of rape in the year 2000. He has since being detained to this day.

The lawyers, Lamin S. Camara Assan Martins who are offering pro bono services to the accused, Sarjo Jarra, said his continued detention was a violation his fundamental human rights.

Sarjo Jarra, known as Pa Jarra, has been in custody at the remand wing of Mile 2 State Central Prison for 9 years, on allegation of rape. But last Monday prosecutors mistakenly arraigned Mr Jarra before Justice Moses Richards after prison wardens mistook him for another man sharing the same name 'Pa Jarra', who had a case to answer at the High Court in Banjul.

However, on Tuesday, prison wardens brought an old man called Pa Jarra, who had been in their custody for years. But when Justice Richards saw the man in court, he said the photo attached to the case file was different from the man brought before him.

But the prison wardens told the court that he was the only Pa Jarra in their custody. Justice Richards then asked Pa Jarra how long he had been in custody. Jarra replied that he was arrested in August 2000, and was charged with rape. He informed the Court that since 2000, only two witnesses had testified in his trial.

"I was arraigned in Basse and in Banjul on rape charges. I could recall that I was brought before Justice Paul, Justice Haddy Roche, Justice Dordzie and lately, Justice Wowo of the High Court. I have never taken to the witness stand to give evidence", Mr Jarra said.

At this point, Justice Richards stated that he was a man of justice and that he could not stand to watch Mr Jarra be detained continuously. Richards therefore ordered the Principal Registrar at the High Court in Banjul to take note of Jarra's plight and forward the matter to the Chief Justice.

"The pro bono lawyers were equally touched by the plight of the old man after hearing the circumstances surrounding his case", our correspondent says.

Both lawyers -  Assan Martins and Lamin S Camara said they sympathized with Pa Jarra's dilemma and said they were willing to offer their services to the old man at no cost. "The case has not progressed before Justice Wowo for almost six months now. I have decided to consult Justice Wowo in Chambers about the dilemma of the old man", Assan Martins said.

Our correspondent says most of the cases at the High Court that have been dragging for years, are usually matters relating to land disputes, some of which can even be amicably settled our of court.

"In late 2009, The Gambian Judiciary held a one-day workshop in Banjul to review the High Court Amendment rules, with a view to reducing a backlog of cases in order for the public to have more confidence in the country's judicial system," our correspondent adds.

There are a lot of people detained at the country's maximum security prison (Mile 2) without having their cases brought before the courts.