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State prefers more charges against Teranga FM MD

Aug 20, 2015, 9:50 AM | Article By: Halimatou Ceesay

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), S.H. Barkun, has filed fresh charges against Teranga FM radio station Managing Director, Abdoulie Ceesay, at the Banjul High Court.

Ceesay was earlier arraigned on a single-count charge of seditious intention before Magistrate M.S. Jallow of the Banjul Magistrates’ Court.

The new seven-count charge ranges from six counts of sedition to one count of false publication of news.

The particulars of offence in count one stated that Abdoulie Ceesay, on 17 July 2015 at Sinchu Alajie Village and other diverse places in the Kanifing Municipality within the jurisdiction of the court, with intent to excite disaffection against President Yahya Jammeh and the Government of The Gambia, acted with the same seditious intention by publishing and distributing pictures of a gun and five bullets, pointing towards the image of President Yahya Jammeh and thereby committed an offence.

Count two stated that Ceesay on the same date and place, with intent to excite disaffection against President Yahya Jammeh and the Gambia Government, acted with the same seditious intention by publishing and distributing a seditious phrase to wit: “The sniper is hereby advising all citizens and non-citizens to stay at their homes on Wednesday 22nd July 2015, as our struggle to kick off the dog begins that very day. We are capable of doing anything and it might start from the celebration ground. Please be at your homes for your safety.” Signed by the sniper 3, secretary to the group, and thereby committed an offence.

Count three stated that the Ceesay on the date and place with intent to excite disaffection against President Yahya Jammeh and the Government published pictures of a gun and five bullets pointing towards the image of President Yahya Jammeh and thereby committed an offence.

Ceesay was accused on count four that on the same date and place, with intent to excite disaffection against president Yahya Jammeh and the Government, published a seditious phrase to wit: “The sniper is hereby advising all citizens and non-citizens to stay at their homes on Wednesday 22nd July 2015, as our struggle to kick off the dog begins that very day. We are capable of doing anything and it might start from the celebration ground. Please be at your homes for your safety.” Signed by the sniper 3, secretary to the group, and thereby committed an offence.

Count five further stated that Ceesay on the same date and place, with intent excite disaffection against President Jammeh and his Government, distributed pictures of a gun and five bullets pointing towards the image of President Jammeh and thereby committed an offence.

Count six stated that the Ceesay on the same date and place, with intent to excite disaffection against President Yahya Jammeh and Government distributed a seditious phrase to wit: “The sniper is hereby advising all citizens and non-citizens to stay at their homes on Wednesday 22nd July 2015, as our struggle to kick off the dog begins that very day. We are capable of doing anything and it might start from the celebration ground. Please be at your homes for your safety.” Signed by the sniper 3, secretary to the group, and thereby committed an offence.

Count seven stated that the Ceesay on the same date and place, with intent to cause fear and alarm to the public or to disturb the public peace, published a seditious statement to wit: “The sniper is hereby advising all citizens and non-citizens to stay at their homes on Wednesday 22nd July 2015, as our struggle to kick off the dog begins that very day. We are capable of doing anything and it might start from the celebration ground. Please be at your homes for your safety.” Signed by the sniper 3, secretary to the group, and thereby committed an offence.