Former information minister, Dr Amadou Scattred Janneh, and three others, charged with treason, sedition and conspiracy will today appear at the Special Criminal Court in Banjul.
Janneh, who was reportedly arrested on Tuesday 7th June, was first arraigned alongside Michel C. Ucheh Thomas, Modou Keita and Ebrima Jallow on Monday 13th June at the Banjul Magistrates’ Court. The case was subsequently transferred to the high court, which has jurisdiction in cases of treason.
During their first appearance at the Special Criminal Court, the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mikailu Abdullah, told the court that investigations into the matter are yet to be completed, and that the charges preferred against the accused persons, at the lower court, were holding charges, meaning no substantial charge has been filed yet.
However, defence counsel Lamin Camara, who is representing Janneh, earlier urged the prosecution to expedite the case so that the accused persons can know their fate.
The accused persons are yet to take their pleas.
The three other accused persons, standing trial with Dr. Janneh, are yet to secure legal counsel.
The accused persons may likely answer to a new indictment when they appear today before Justice Joseph Enwa Ikpala of the special criminal court.
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 Avenueand 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.
