Dr Scattred Janneh, others appear at High Court

Ex-Information minister Dr Amadou Scattred Janneh, and three others, charged last week with treason, sedition and conspiracy, yesterday appeared at the Special Criminal Court of the High Court in Banjul.

Dr. Janneh, who was arrested since 7th June 2011, was arraigned alongside Michel C. Ucheh Thomas, Modou Keita and Ebrima Jallow before Justice J.E. Ikpala.

However, the accused persons could not take their pleas as the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mikailu Abdullahi, told the court that the state has just received the case file from the Banjul Magistrates’ Court.

DPP Abdullahi also told the court that the charges preferred against the accused persons at the magistrates’ court were holding charges, and that investigations into the matter are ongoing.

While requesting for an adjournment to 5th July, he said there was assurance from the Commissioner of Prosecutions at police headquarters that the case file would be ready in two weeks time.

Lawyer Lamin S. Camara, who represented Dr. Janneh, in response told the court that he did not hear the DPP say when the substantial charges would be filed against his client, since the charges at the lower court were holding charges.

Camara applied before the judge for him to be allowed access to his client at the Mile 2 Central Prisons.

In granting the prosecution’s request, Justice Ikpala told them to make sure that it expedites its investigations and bring in a proper case file, as it is the constitutional rights of the accused persons to know the charges against them.

He subsequently adjourned the hearing till 5th July 2011.

The three other accused persons are yet to secure legal counsel.           

Reader would recall that charges were preferred against the accused persons at the lower court in Banjul. The particulars of offence on count one indicated that the four accused persons on or about the month of May 2011 in Kairaba Avenue and diverse places in The Gambia, conspired among themselves to effect 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.

According to the particulars of offence on count three, the accused person 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 incite the inhabitants of The Gambia to attempt to procure alteration otherwise by lawful means any matter in The Gambia as established by law.