Journalist Fatou Jaw Manneh's Trial set to Proceed

The protracted trial of Journalist Fatou Jaw Manneh has been finally set for hearing, following a series of adjournments caused by technicalities of law relating to which territory was the appropriate jurisdiction to entertain the trial.

Yesterday 14th April 2008 at the Kanifing Magistrates' Court in a hushed courtroom presided over by Principal Magistrate Buba Jawo, the accused's file was called but the defence Lawyer, Lamin Jobarteh, was said to be indisposed.

The state counsels, Ms Fatou Bittaye and Ms Ellen Manga, informed the court that the defence counsel had arrived from the provinces but was said to be sick.

In light of this, the matter was therefore adjourned to 21st April to allow both the accused and her counsel to appear in court.

Following a tip-off in advance of the coming of the accused from the United States, the accused was whisked away at the Banjul International airport by national security agents for questioning concerning an interview she had granted to a newspaper while in the United States.

The accused was subsequently charged with uttering seditious words with potential to cause alarm- hence her consequent arraignment on 4th April 2007 for the alleged offence. The accused has ever since strongly denied the charge.