Counsel urges court to discharge Dr Janneh and co while investigations continue

Dr. Janneh & Co accused being escorted by Security Officer after Tuesday's Proceedings 

Dr. Janneh Handcuffed and Leg Shackle after the Court Proceedings

Lawyer Lamin Camara representing the former information minister Dr. Amadou Janneh and three others charged with treason, sedition and conspiracy yesterday urged the Special Criminal Court to discharge Janneh and his co-accused until such a time when the prosecution presents substantial charges against the accused persons.

This call followed another announcement by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mikailu Abdullah, that investigations into the case are still ongoing, and thus he requested for another two weeks adjournment.

The DPP earlier told the court that the charges against the accused persons are holding charges, adding that by next adjournment date, substantial charges will be filed.

Dr. Prof. Janneh

Janneh, who was reportedly arrested on Tuesday 7th June, was first arraigned alongside Michel C. Ucheh Thomas, Modou Keita and Ebrima Jallow on Monday 13th June at the Banjul Magistrates’ Court.

The case was subsequently transferred to the high court, which has jurisdiction in cases of treason.

During yesterday’s proceedings, defence counsel Camara told the court that the accused persons have been languishing at the central prison Mile 2 for one month one day, without knowing their fate, while the prosecutor keeps telling the court that investigations into the matter are still ongoing.

He added that the prosecution, during the last proceedings, promised to file new charges against the accused persons, but to his surprise, the prosecution said the case was still under investigations, adding that his clients cannot be languishing at Mile 2 for so long, without any progress in the case.

“It is the constitutional rights of my clients to know the charges preferred against them. In fact, there are no charges against them here at the High Court, because the charges filed at the lower court are regarded as holding charges, which cannot stand at the High Court.” Camara further submitted.

He urged the court to give seven days to the prosecution to file new charges or otherwise the court discharges the accused persons.

However, the DPP urged the court to grant them another two weeks adjournment, as the investigators are still on their toes investigating the matter.

The DPP added that he was not sure whether investigations into the case were completed by yesterday, adding that the charges before the court are yet to be struck out, and that if the counsel is saying there are no charges against the accused person, then he is misleading the court.

“They were charged at the lower court, but the case was transferred to the high court,” the DPP continued.

In his ruling, Justice Joseph Ikpala ordered the prosecution to present substantial charges against the accused persons, adding that treason is a serious offence.

He granted the prosecution’s request for a two-week adjournment.

Hearing was then scheduled for 19th July 2011.

Janneh and his co-accused persons were escorted in and out of the court premises amidst security, with both hands cuffed and legs shackled.

Dr. Janneh a former political science professor in US and at one time the political and economic affairs officer at the US Embassy in Banjul is accused of conspiring with others to effect to carry out an enterprise with force, with the intent to usurp the executive powers of the state, in the month of May 2011 at Kairaba Avenue and diverse places in The Gambia.

He is also accused of distributing T-shirts bearing ‘Coalition for Change The Gambia, End to Dictatorship Now’ with intent to usurp the executive powers of the state in May 2011 at Kairaba Avenue and diverse places in The Gambia.

On count three, prosecutors said the accused person in the month of May 2011 in Kairaba Avenue and diverse places in The Gambia distributed T-shirts bearing ‘Coalition for Change The Gambia, End to Dictatorship Now’ with intent to incite the inhabitants of The Gambia to attempt to procure alteration otherwise than by lawful means any matter in The Gambia as established by law.

Ex-Information Minister Janneh, others trial resumes today

Dr. Janneh being escorted out the Court alongside his Co- Accused

Prof. Dr. Janneh

Former information minister, Dr Amadou Scattred Janneh, and three others, charged with treason, sedition and conspiracy will today appear at the Special Criminal Court in Banjul.

Janneh, who was reportedly arrested on Tuesday 7th June, was first arraigned alongside Michel C. Ucheh Thomas, Modou Keita and Ebrima Jallow on Monday 13th June at the Banjul Magistrates’ Court. The case was subsequently transferred to the high court, which has jurisdiction in cases of treason.

During their first appearance at the Special Criminal Court, the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mikailu Abdullah, told the court that investigations into the matter are yet to be completed, and that the charges preferred against the accused persons, at the lower court, were holding charges, meaning no substantial charge has been filed yet.

However, defence counsel Lamin Camara, who is representing Janneh, earlier urged the prosecution to expedite the case so that the accused persons can know their fate.

The accused persons are yet to take their pleas.

The three other accused persons, standing trial with Dr. Janneh, are yet to secure legal counsel. 

The accused persons may likely answer to a new indictment when they appear today before Justice Joseph Enwa Ikpala of the special criminal court.

The charges, on count one, indicated that the accused persons will stand trial for conspiracy to commit a felony, to wit treason, contrary to Section 35 (1) (g) of the Criminal Code Cap 10:01, Volume III, Laws of The Gambia 2009.

The particulars of the offence revealed that the four accused persons on or about the month of May 2011 in Kairaba Avenueand diverse places in The Gambia, conspired among themselves to carry out an enterprise with force with the intent to usurp the executive powers of the state.

and diverse places in The Gambia, conspired among themselves to carry out an enterprise with force with the intent to usurp the executive powers of the state.
On count two, the first accused, Dr Amadou Scattred Janneh will stand trial for treason contrary to Section 35 (1) (c) of the Criminal Code Cap 10:01 Volume III Laws of The Gambia 2009.

The particulars stated that Dr Amadou Scattred Janneh on or about the month of May 2011 in Kairaba Avenue and diverse places in The Gambia, distributed T-Shirts bearing ‘Coalition for Change the Gambia, End to Dictatorship Now’ with intent to usurp the executive powers of the state.

On count three, the four accused persons will stand trial for seditious intent contrary to Section 51 (1) (a) of the Criminal Code Cap 10:01 Volume III Laws of The Gambia 2009.

According to the particulars of the offence, the accused person on or about the month of May 2011 in the Kairaba Avenue and diverse places in The Gambia, distributed T-Shirts bearing ‘Coalition for Change The Gambia, End to Dictatorship Now’ with intent to incite the inhabitants of The Gambia to attempt to procure alteration otherwise by lawful means any matter in The Gambia as established by law.

Detained Former Observer Editor Granted Bail

By Sainey M.K. Marenah, Managing Blogger

Nanama Kieta

Breaking News: News of the Hour

Lower Court in Banjul this Afternoon Granted bail Mr. Nanama Kieta, Former Sport Editor and Deputy Editor- in Chief of the Daily Observer in sum of D100,000 with one Gambian Surety.  

Kieta was granted bail following his appearance at Banjul Magistrate Court before Magistrate Taiwo Ade Alagbe.

He was charged by police prosecutors for Giving False information to Public servant contrary to section 111(a) of the Criminal code cap 10:01 Vol iii laws of the Gambia. Mr. kieta was detained on Monday by police in Banjul.

the charges against Kieta, according to the indictment are linked to petition letter he wrote to the office of the president claiming wrongful dismissal as the Deputy editor in Chief and Head of sport Desk and financial malpractices by the Managing Director of Observer Pa Malick Faye.

prosecutors believes that said information written by Kieta is false.

But denied any any wrong doing.

Lawyer Lamin Camara represented Kieta at the trial.

hearing Continues on 19th July 2011.

Former Observer Sports Editor charged, detained

 Nanama Kieta

The Point has learned through reliable sources that Nanama Keita, deputy editor-in-chief and former sports editor of the Daily Observer newspaper, was at the time of going to press detained at Police headquarters in Banjul.

Keita who spoke to our reporter yesterday confirmed his detention, and said he was charged with giving false information.

According to him, he was asked to report to the Police headquarters, where he was, up to the time of going to press, being held.

So far, this reporter is not aware of any reason(s) for his detention.

When contacted, ASP Yerro Mballow, spokesperson of the Gambia Police Force said he could not confirm the story as at that time, but asked us to get back to him in an hour’s time.

When contacted again, Mballow asked this reporter to call him today, for him to find out.

Story Written by Sainey M.K. Marenah, Managing Blogger, Justice Blog

US Embassy celebrates 235th Independence anniversary

Ambassador White saying it "all"

White with M.K. Marenah at event

Chief US Diplomat with Minister Bajo at the Event

 Justice Blog Exclusive and Special Coverage of US 235th Independence Anniversary. See pictorial of Celebration which was done in grand style.

Dr. Wes Founder Jazz & Democracy Project with Managing Blogger M.K. Marenah

The Embassy of the United States in Banjul, on 1st July commemorated the 235th independence of the United States of America, at a reception held at the Coco Ocean Hotel in Bijilo.

The day, which brought together diplomats, cabinet members, civil society members, US embassy officials and a cross-section of the public, marked the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the beginning of a great experiment-American democracy.

Speaking on the occasion, Pamela Ann White, United States Ambassador to The Gambia, told the gathering that strengthening the ties between Banjul and Washington on the basis of mutual interest and respect, will always be the cornerstone of her policy.

“This is because today we face challenges that no single country can meet alone; we will only realize the security, prosperity and opportunity that our people seek if we recognize the humanity we share and work together for a common purpose,” she stated.

Ambassador White noted that the tables scattered around the gathering indicated that the United States is a nation of immigrants.

“People come to our shores from every nation on earth for a myriad of reasons, but with the goal of seeking a better life for themselves and their families. In landing on our soil, they find that they have the right to criticize their adopted country and its leadership - a right denied to most by their countries of birth,” she added.

While underscoring the significance of the event, Ambassador White noted that democracy is a continually evolving process.

She added that this year’s events in Tunisia, Egypt and other places shows that it is a universal right that people are denied for too long, that they demand.

“It is a journey fraught with unexpected events that detour, and when we take for granted the liberties, rights and privileges so embedded in democracy, we are most vulnerable to lose them,” she stated.

Also underscoring President Jammeh’s efforts to the advancement of agriculture, women empowerment and education, the US diplomat said the embassy has worked to build on the relationship the US has with The Gambia and its people.

She further told the gathering that President Jammeh’s constant vigilance against terrorism and drug trafficking are admirable, and should be emulated by other African countries.

“We stand with him to expand our support for the Gambia’s security, prosperity, and opportunity,” she added.

She commended Comium GSM company for their outstanding contribution to The Gambia by housing the American Corner, a community education and research centre.

Ambassador White also announced that the Gambia Armed Forces will this month host African Endeavour, where over 500 military officers will meet in Banjul to learn communication and protocol techniques.

“In this increasingly interconnected world, no nation can solve the problem of economic and social development, terrorism, environment, narco and human trafficking and a host of other issues alone,” she said, noting that “today, more than yesterday we need to tighten the bonds of friendship that bind The Gambia and the US”.

Lamin Kaba Bajo, minister of Fisheries, Water Resources and National Assembly Matters, who was also overseeing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, conveyed the Gambia government’s appreciation and gratitude to the US government, adding that The Gambia will always work with the US in ensuring global peace, security and social justice.

According to him, the world with time will come to recognize 4th July as a symbol of freedom, liberty, autonomy, sovereignty and self-governance.

Noting that The Gambia holds very dearly the fraternal ties of friendship and cooperation between the two countries, Bajo stated that the multilateral engagement between Banjul and Washington remains strong, especially at the level of the UN.

Meanwhile, Dr Wes, founder of the US-based Jazz and Democracy Project, thrilled the gathering with jazz music.

Henry Gomez says he was ‘misunderstood’

GPDP Leader: " I was misunderstood"

UDP Leader: " there is Possibility of an alliance "

The party leader and Secretary General of Gambia Party for Democracy and Progress (GPDP), Henry Gomez, has said he was misunderstood in his earlier comments, that veteran opposition leaders in the country should “give chance”, to what he called a new breed of opposition leaders ahead of the November 2011 polls.

NRP Leader: " Will contest under my party ticket"

Gomez in an earlier interview with this paper called on veteran opposition leaders like Ousainou Darboe of the UDP, Halifa Sallah of the PDOIS and Hamat Bah of the NRP to “give chance”, asserting that this is what Gambians are expecting in the run-up to the polls.

In that interview, Gomez also said he is ready to go in for an alliance with any party, but there must be new leaders.

In his view, it is only new opposition leaders that can succeed in challenging the ruling APRC, come the November presidential polls.

Speaking in an interview with this reporter at the weekend, the GPDP leader stated that his colleagues misunderstood his comments, as he was not in any way criticizing anyone of them. “What I was saying was that if we are talking about an alliance or a coalition, we have to go in for a new party and, of course, new leaders,” he added.

Sallah: " no party has nominated me as Candidate"

“My colleagues misunderstood my point. I was not saying that people should choose leaders for the NRP, UDP or PDOIS - because I’m not even interested in that. What I was saying was that if we are to form an alliance, we should choose new leaders,” Gomez said, while apologizing to anyone he might have offended.

However, Henry Gomez maintained that if the opposition camp in the country is to form any alliance ahead of the polls, veteran leaders must give chance to young and emerging leaders, who he added, are the ones who can effect change.

The GPDP leader also renewed his earlier call for a term limit for the presidency, noting that two terms is enough for any democratic leader.

Commenting on the recently concluded general voter registration exercise, Gomez described it as a success, adding that the Independence Electoral Commission has achieved its target by registering over 800,000 ahead of the polls.

Noting that there is nothing that can deter his party from contesting the forthcoming presidential election, the GPDP leader expressed dissatisfaction with the number of days allocated by the IEC for the campaign period.

According to him, the IEC allocated a four-week campaign period during the 2006 presidential election.

“The 11 days allocated for this year’s campaign period is very short for the opposition parties, because the ruling party is campaigning everyday whether directly or indirectly.

“They have GRTS at their disposal, and they conduct rallies in all parts of the country. They need no permission to conduct their rallies, and if we are now talking of 11 days, frankly I think this is a disadvantage on the side of the opposition,” Gomez told this reporter.

He stated that if the IEC will stick to its 11 days allocated for the campaign, then the opposition should be allowed air time as soon as possible so as to enable them sell their political manifestos and agenda, noting that GRTS belongs to all Gambians, regardless of political affiliation.

He revealed that his party is currently engaged in a door to door campaign and mass sensitization of youths, and that come the 24th November polls, the results will speak for themselves.

“My party’s agenda will, among others, focus on a better agricultural system, free education for not only girls but boys, youth empowerment and a year-long tourist session,” he noted.

He added: “A meager salary of a civil servant cannot afford to pay house rent, as well as feeding, to which the GPDP will provide concrete solutions. Poverty is high, above 60 percent, and the GPDP will not only be there for the poor people, but for everyone.”

The GPDP leader went further to call for more respect for freedom of the press and speech, as well as democracy, and the rule of law.

GRTS Director General testifies in court

Ex Information Minister Fatim Badjie  with GRTS DG Sanyang

Alhaji Momodou Sanyang, Director General of the Gambia Radio and Television Services, GRTS, yesterday testified in the trial of Dodou Sanneh, former reporter at GRTS.

Dodou Sanneh is being tried for allegedly giving false information to a public officer.

Testifying as the third prosecution witness, before Magistrate Manyima Bojang of the Banjul Magistrates’ Court, DG Sanyang told the court that he is a civil servant attached to the Gambia Radio and Television Services as Director General.

 He added that he recognised the accused as a member of staff of the Gambia Radio and Television Services (GRTS), whose services were terminated.

“I knew Kebba Dibba, is also staff of GRTS, as Director of Programs, and the accused person was working under him as a reporter at the time,” he said.

“The accused person’s services were terminated twice,” Sanyang told the court.

“The first was when one Senegalese’s commander came to The Gambia and paid a courtesy call on the President at State House, and he was cautioned to produce the report, and the highlights  of the whole program,” Sanyang added.

 “I personally called the accused person, and asked him to produce the courtesy call report, which was very important, but the accused person later switch off his phone, until the third day when he came to work. I asked him how could he disappear for two days,” he further testified.

“The accused person replied that it was just a courtesy call, and was not much more important than what he was doing. This caused his first termination, but the management later decided to reinstate him,” he continued.

The GRTS DG added that during the 2006 Presidential Election campaign, Dodou Sanneh was assigned to cover the coalition UDP/ NRP.

He said that during this campaign, the reports were monitored and they (at GRTS) realised that the accused person was quantifying those who attended the rallies.

 He added that he (Sanyang) called Kebba Dibba to caution him (Dodou Sanneh) to change his manner of reporting, and to stop quantifying the number of people attending the rallies.

Kebba Dibba later returned to him, and informed him that he had cautioned the accused person (Dodou Sanneh), and he would change his manner of reporting, Sanyang went on.

Still testifying, DG Sanyang told the court that he personally called the accused person, and advised him to stop such kinds of reporting.

He said he told Sanneh that people were very happy with his way of reporting the political rallies, but he should stop quantifying the turnout.

However, the accused person’s response was that he was the one in the field, and he knows the number of people attending the rallies.

DG Sanyang added that it was based on these reasons that the management decided to terminate his services, since the accused person failed to stop quantifying the attendance at rallies.

He said that after terminating his services, Dodou Sanneh came to him to express regret for what he had done, and asked him to reinstate him.

Sanyang said he then told Dodou Sanneh that this was a management decision, and he (Sanyang) could not decide anything alone.

He added that a few days later, he was called by the Ombudsman regarding the termination of the accused person’s services.

 The case was at that juncture adjourned till 5 July 2011.     

News Sources: The Point