The trial
of two journalists, Sainey MK Marenah, a freelance Journalist, and Musa S.
Sheriff, editor-in-chief of The Voice newspaper, Monday proceeded at the Banjul
magistrates’ court presided over by principal magistrate Hilary Abeke.
The court heard the testimony of the fourth prosecution witness (PW4), one Lamin Kanteh, a resident of Tanji village and the APRC chairman in Tanji.
He said he was in court in connection with an article published in The Voice newspaper headlined: “19 Green Youths defect to opposition United Democratic Party (UDP)”.
Kanteh said this was not true, after making their findings. Upon reading the said article, they were upset and decided to convene a meeting at the alkalo’s compound. All the Green Youths who were there at the time said the article was not true, Kanteh told the court.
They had investigated the matter, and realised that it was not true, as some of their members were at Kanilai, Brikama and Batokunku at the President’s farm, at the time.
He said they later invited The Voice to meet with them, and one Mafugi Ceesay came to Tanji.
The police later called him (the witness), and asked what he knew about the publication, Kanteh added.
At that juncture, the police prosecutor, ASP Camara, produced his witness statement to the police, and it was tendered as an exhibit.
The case was adjourned to Wednesday 23 July 2014, for continuation of the hearing.
The particulars of offence stated that the accused persons on 6 December 2013, in Banjul and diverse places in The Gambia, conspired to publish in The Voice Newspaper the story headlined: “19 Green Youths join the opposition UDP” dated 6 December 2013, and thereby committed an offence.
Count two stated that the accused persons made a publication knowing or having reason to believe that it was likely to cause fear to the public or disturb the public peace, and thereby committed an offence.
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