Fatou Jaw Manneh's Trial Nears Climax

Ms Fatou Jaw Manneh, the beleaguered Gambian journalist facing a charge of sedition, is expected to know her fate soon. Her trial, which has dragged on for over a year now, is expected to proceed to judgement after the next court sitting on 4th August 2008.

At yesterday's sitting, the state counsel, who had filed their written address since 11th July 2008, were absent. However, the defence was given time to prepare a reply on points of law and submit it on 4th August 2008, after which the case will proceed for judgement. Principal Magistrate Buba Jawo adopted the state's address on 16th July 2008.

It could be recalled that on 28th March 2007, Ms Manneh was whisked away on her arrival at the Banjul International Airport on suspicion of uttering seditious words in the form of an interview to an online newspaper.

She was subsequently arraigned on 4th April 2007 at the Kanifing Magistrates' Court on charges of false publication and sedition, which was later amended to only sedition. The case was then transferred from one magistrates' court to another on the supposed lack of jurisdiction before finally settling at the Kanifing Magistrates' Court.