The trial on charges of sedition involving the Managing Director of Teranga FM Radio, Alagie Abdoulie Ceesay, was yesterday adjourned before Justice Mohammed Dan Azumi Balarabe of the Banjul High Court.
Alagie Abdoulie Ceesay was indicted on a seven-count charge, ranging from six counts of sedition to one count of false publication of news.
When the case was called, the Director of Public Prosecutions, S.H. Barkun, announced his representation for the state and said the case was set for hearing and his witness was in court.
However, he added that he received a message from the defence counsel, Combeh Gaye-Coker, that one of her children was sick and that the same message was passed to the court.
He said based on that, they are seeking an adjournment at the instance of the defence.
The trial judge then adjourned the case for today at 11am.
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 advices all citizens and non-citizens to stay at their homes on Wednesday 22nd July 2015, as our struggle to kick of 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 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 advices all citizens and non-citizens to stay at their homes on Wednesday 22nd July, 2015, as our struggle to kick of 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 disaffection against President Jammeh and 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 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 advices all citizens and non-citizens to stay at their homes on Wednesday 22nd July, 2015, as our struggle to kick of 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 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 advices all citizens and non-citizens to stay at their homes on Wednesday 22nd July 2015, as our struggle to kick of 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.