By: Isatou Sarr
Journalists Musa Sheriff and Momodou Justice Darboeappeared in court on Tuesday almost two weeks after they were arrested and detained by the police.
The two journalists were invited to the Police HQ in Banjul nearly two weeks ago and were exposed to robust questioning by the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) over an article about President Adama Barrow’s reported succession plan.
The duo was arraigned before Magistrate Mben Faal at the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday morning, where the magistrate read out to them the charges of false publication and broadcasting pressed against them by prosecutors.
The particulars of the offence read that Musa S. Sheriff and Momodou J. Darboe on or about 23 September 2024, at Kanifing and diverse places in the Republic of The Gambia, without any lawful excuse or authority, wilfully published a news titled: “President Barrow Chooses Muhammed Jah As Successor as Presidential Candidate for 2026 Election” with the Voice Newspaper, knowing or having no reason to believe that the said publication or news was true, thereby committed an offence.
The two accused journalists pleaded not guilty.
At this juncture, Deputy Commissioner Malang Jarju, leading the prosecution on behalf of Commissioner Abdoulie Sanneh, rose to say that the prosecution was not opposing bail and would like to apply for an adjournment to present their witnesses to court.
In reply, one of the defense counsels Lamin J. Darboe hinted that it was refreshing that the prosecution did not object to bail for his clients. Lawyer Darboe gave the court the assurance that both Momodou Justice Darboe and Musa Sheriff are responsible citizens and did not pose any flight risk.
Magistrate Mben Faal then ruled that since the prosecution has not objected to the bail for the accused, the court shall use its discretion. She granted Sheriff and Darboe D100,000 bail. Each of them must also provide a Gambian surety as a bail condition.
Lawyers Lamin J. Darboe of Dabanani Chambers and Lamin S. Camara of Dandimayo Chambers represented the accused persons while the Inspector General of Police was represented by Commissioner Abdoulie Colley, Deputy Commissioner Malang Jarju and Corporal 7048 A.Y Bojang.
The case resumes on 31 October 2024
