It could be recalled that some few weeks ago, rumours were spread across the country that President Jammeh had a dream of a dark vision and has given directives that on Thursday no one should cook dinner, light candles and sweep their compounds.
In delivering his judgement on the landmark case last Friday, before a crowded courtroom in Brikama, the presiding Magistrate Pa Harry Jammeh sentenced the accused persons to a mandatory three months in jail, but noted that the maximum penalty for such offences is two years. As first offenders, Magistrate Jammeh said he was going to convict the accused persons to teach them lesson so that it will not to go anywhere else again. Magistrate Jammeh used the opportunity to discourage people from spreading false news with intent to cause fear and alarm.
Jammeh said the accused persons have no authority whatsoever to pass such information to the general public, knowing fully well, that it can cause fear and pandemonium in town.
"Do you know how many people were greatly disturbed by this information," said Magistrate Jammeh, adding that, "if the President have any information for the general public he will do so on Gambian TV". The presiding Magistrate however warned those who are engaged in such activities to desist from it before it is too late.
Before delivering judgement, the three accused persons pleaded guilty to the said offence.
Lamin
Nyassi for his part said he traveled to
Ebrima Kujabi and Momodou Kujabi said they heard the information from the women who went to work at one of President Jammeh's farms. They told the court that they disclosed the information at the mosque so that the people could pray for President Jammeh and the nation at large.
In another
development, 54 men most of whom Guineans were last Friday sentenced to a
mandatory three month jail term. The accused persons were charged with six
counts of offences ranging from unlawful assembly, disorderly conduct among
others. It would be recalled that on Friday around 1:00p.m