Abdou
Njie, Ebrima Kitim Jarju, Sheriffo Sonko, Hagi Suwaneh, Fanta Mballow, Karim
Touray, Yankuba Darboe and Muctarr Ceesay, executive members of 3 Years Jotna
Movement, were on 24 February, 2020, granted bail by Justice Amina Saho-Ceesay
of the High Court in Banjul. She cited Section 19 and 24 of the constitution
and Section 99 of the Criminal Procedure Code to justify her ruling. She noted
that granting bail is to avail the accused the opportunity to appear in court,
adding that the accused should keep the peace.
The
accused persons, who were earlier charged on three counts of unlawful assembly,
rioting after proclamation and rioters demolishing structures, were granted
bail in the sum of D200,000 with two
Gambian sureties each who should deposit their ID cards with the registrar of
the court. They should also swear to an affidavit of means. The accused should
deposit their travelling documents to the registrar of the court and should
always appear in court pending the determination of the case.
This
followed the announcement by the lead state counsel that there was an amended
information, adding that the charge, which was rioters demolishing structures
and which attracts life imprisonment under Section 76 of the Criminal Code, had
been removed.
The
lead defence counsel, R. Mendy, informed the court that the amended information
was not served on the accused persons.
The
lead state counsel then indicated that the state was no longer opposing bail
for the accused persons based on the amended information. He commended the
court for its diligent ruling, noting that they wished to condemn in the
strongest terms personal and derogatory attacks on the court. “This is uncalled
for and illegal. People should respect the sanctity of the court,” he stated.
The
lead defence counsel, R. Mendy, told the court that she shared the same
sentiments. “All we know is the law, and justice will prevail. We disassociate
ourselves from comments on the social media,” she added.
At
this juncture, the lead state counsel applied to the court to adjourn the case
for 30 days if the defence would indulge them.
R.
Mendy informed the court that they were not objecting to the application by the
state to adjourn the case.
The
presiding judge then adjourned the matter to 25 March, 2020, for plea taking on
the remaining counts.
