By Mamadou Dem
A lower Court in Banjul presided over by Magistrate Samsideen Conteh has 
granted an arrest warrant against one Dr. Amadou Scattred Janneh on a single count charge of ‘Treason’ contrary to section 35 (1) (c) of the Criminal Code, laws of The Gambia.
The particulars of offence states that Dr. Janneh on or about the month of May 2011 at Kairaba Avenue and diverse places in the Republic of The Gambia distributed T-Shirts bearing ‘Coalition for Change the Gambia, End to dictatorship now’ with intent to usurp the executive powers of the state, thereby committed an offence.
Police Prosecutor, Alieu Faye told the court that the accused person is out of the jurisdiction. “We are applying for a bench warrant so that the accused person can be brought back to the country through the Interpol,” he submitted.
“Your Worship, in the light of the above, we crave the indulgence of this court to grant the application.”
The trial Magistrate granted the application for the accused to be brought to the Gambia to answer to the charge preferred against him.
It would be recalled that Dr Amadou Scattred Janneh who holds Gambian and American Citizenship, was a former Information minister under the ruling party. He was convicted and sentenced on a similar offence to life imprisonment by then Justice Emmanuel Nkea of the Special Criminal Division of the High Court in Banjul. Janneh was found guilty on all the four counts he was charged with and was accordingly convicted and sentenced to serve life imprisonment on counts one and two, conspiracy to commit a felony and treason, all contrary to the Laws of The Gambia.
The trial Judge then further convicted and sentenced him to three years imprisonment on counts three and four with his three co-accused persons, Modou Keita, Ebrima Jallow and Michael Ucheh Thomas.
The high court judgment brought to an end a seven-month trial, which started on July 18th 2011. The sentences were to run concurrently but he was later released on Presidential pardon alongside Tamsir Jassey after the intervention of the Civil Rights Leader Rev. Jesse Jackson. Both were flown back to the United States]]>
