Ex-Information Minister Janneh, others to appear at High Court

The former Information minister, Dr. Amadou Scatred Janneh, and three others indicted by police prosecutor last week, are now expected to appear at the Special Criminal Division of the High Court in Banjul tomorrow, 21st June 2011, to answer to charges of treason, sedition and conspiracy, this paper has reliably learned through judicial sources.

Janneh, who was reportedly arrested since Tuesday 7th June, was arraigned alongside Michel C. Ucheh Thomas, Modou Keita and Ebrima Jallow late on Monday 13th June at the Banjul Magistrates  Court.

However, the accused persons could not even take their plea, as the trial Magistrate Alagba stated that his court lacks jurisdiction to hear treason charges, and consequently transferred the matter to the High Court of The Gambia.

The charges, on count one, indicated that the accused persons will stand trial for conspiracy to commit a felony, to wit treason, contrary to Section 35 (1) (g) of the Criminal Code Cap 10:01, Volume III, Laws of The Gambia 2009.

The particulars of the offence revealed 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 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.

On count three, the four accused persons will stand trial for seditious intent contrary to Section 51 (1) (a) of the Criminal Code Cap 10:01 Volume III Laws of The Gambia 2009.

According to the particulars of the offence, the accused person on or about the month of May 2011 in the 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.

Readers would recall that Magistrate Alagba upon reviewing the charge sheet at the lower court indicated that the court holds that it lacks the jurisdiction as the matter involves treason, which according to Section 5 Sub-section (a) of the Criminal Procedure Code, the said court is excluded to hear.

He then remanded the accused persons in prison custody pending their proper arraignment at the high court.

The case was then transferred to the High Court in Banjul, where the accused persons would now be tried.