Judgement Day Today for Fatou Jaw Manneh

Principal Magistrate Buba Jawo is today expected to deliver judgement in the case of Fatou Jaw Manneh, a US- based Gambian journalist charged with sedition and giving false information. Fatou Jaw Manneh has denied both charges.

The case started at Kanifing Magistrates' Court before Principal Magistrate Buba Jawo sometime in March 2007, but he decided to transfer it to Banjul Magistrates' Court. From Banjul, the case moved to Brikama Magistrates' Court, then to Banjul High Court before finally coming back to Kanifing Magistrates' Court, the question being mainly of jurisdiction.

In furtherance of its case the prosecution called a number of witnesses after whose testimonies it filed a written address. At a point the defence opted not to give evidence, but filed a written address and a reply on points of law.