Human rights activist remanded

Magistrate Hilary U. Abeke of the Banjul Magistrates' Court yesterday remanded Edwin Nebolisa Nwakaeme, Director of Programmes at the African Democracy Organisation and Good Governance (ADG) in custody.

Mr. Nwakaeme was charged with giving false information to a public officer, a charge he has denied.

According to the particulars of the offence, sometime in the month of March 2010, Mr. Nwakaeme allegedly gave false information to the Office of the President, that is, that the African Democracy and Good Governance (ADG) organisation is a non-governmental organisation (NGO), which he knew or have no reason(s) to believe to be true.

Defence counsel Assan Martin in applying for bail for the accused person told the court that the alleged offence is a bailable one, noting that it is a misdemeanour and not a felony.

He told the court that the offence carries a fine of D500 or prison term of 6 months or both depending on the discretion of the magistrate.

Lawyer Martin pointed out that his client has sureties for his bail application, and would comply with any bail conditions.

The police prosecutor, Chief Inspector Badjie, did not raise any objection to the bail application, noting that granting bail is at the discretion of the court.

In his ruling, the presiding magistrate said that the Office of the President is a highly respected and sensitive place in any country, and there is general belief that any information sent to that office must be genuine.

Subsequently, he denied bail and adjourned the case to 22 March 2010.