By: Kemo Kanyi
The Inspector General of Police Tuesday withdrew the falsepublication and broadcasting’ case against Musa S. Sheriff, Editor in Chief of The Voice Newspaper, and Momodou Justice Darboe, a freelance editor at the same newspaper.
The duo was being tried in connection with a news article published by the paper on the 23 September 2024, about the president’s reported succession plan.
The prosecution alleged on or about 23 September 2024, Musa S.Sheriff and Momodou J. Darboe, without any lawful excuse or authority, wilfully published a news article: ‘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.’’
Seedy S.K. Njie, deputy spokesperson of the National People’s Party (NPP), who doubles as the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of The Gambia, appeared on the 31st of October, 2024 as the first prosecution witness. In his testimony, Njie adduced that The Voice newspaper’s articlecaused confusion, disunity, and chaos within the NPP.
When the matter resumed yesterday at the KanifingMagistrates’ Court, ASP Touray announced his representation for the Inspector General of Police, while Counsel Jarrai Jeng of Dabanani Chambers held brief for the lawyers of the twojournalists Lamin J. Darboe and Lamin S. Camara.
Relying on Section 68(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code, the prosecution made an application for the withdrawal of the matter, saying the IGP had no intention to proceed with it.
In response to ASP Touray’s application, Jarrai Jeng stated that she had no objection to the prosecution’s application.
In her ruling, Principal Magistrate Mben Faal granted theprosecution’s application.
‘’The application is granted, and the case is hereby withdrawn from the court, and the two accused persons are acquitted and discharged,’’ she declared.