The ongoing criminal trial against Femi Peters, the Campaign Manager of the opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) was last Friday transferred to the Kanifing Magistrates' Court following the ruling made by Magistrates Emmanuel Nkea.
Magistrate Nkea told the court that two issues stand out in his ruling; that is the violation of the Public Order Act and territorial jurisdiction.
He ruled that the Banjul Magistrates' Court lacks the jurisdiction to hear the matter, since the alleged offence was said to have occurred in Serrekunda, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Kanifing Magistrates' Court, but overruled the defence's argument on the issue of freedom of assembly and ordered that the case be transferred to the Kanifing Magistrates' Court.
Mr. Peters is charged with two counts of "control of procession" and "control of loudspeaker."
He denied both charges.
