By Nelson Manneh
The Principal Magistrate of the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court, Thomas Touray, has remanded twenty-three protesters for the offence of Control of Procession, contrary to Section 5 (5) of the Public Order Act.
The accused persons are: Lamin Daffeh, Lamin Sey, Badou Secka, Yusuf Taylo, Tumani Colley, Ali Cham, Abdouli T. Bah, Alieu Sarr, Bakary Jammeh, Musa Conteh, Rofine Camara, Ansumana Touray, Bakary J. Sanyang, Lamin FM Marigo, Fallou Gallas Ceesay, Yahya Jaiteh, Sisaho Danso, Sulayman Manga, Ebrima Jatta, Ebrima B. Keita, Musa Sanyang, Musa Sisoho, and Ebrima Jallow.
The arrests followed a peaceful protest staged at the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) complex beside the American Embassy on Kairaba Avenue on 22nd August 2025. Following the arrests, bail was opened on 23rd August and communicated to all those detained.
Three protesters applied for police bail and were released, while the others refused to apply, insisting on unconditional bail. They were therefore kept in police custody.
All 23 accused persons later appeared before Magistrate Touray, where the charge sheet was read to them and interpreted into their understanding. They all pleaded not guilty.
According to the particulars of the offence, the 23 accused “on or about the 22nd day of August, 2025, at Kairaba Avenue in the Kanifing Municipality of the Republic of The Gambia, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, without any lawful authority, conducted yourselves in a manner likely to cause a breach of the peace by holding a procession in a public place without a licence from the Inspector General of Police, thereby committed an offence.”
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Manga, one of the prosecutors representing the Inspector General of Police, requested an adjournment to allow the prosecution to prepare their case.
He further told the court: “We are not objecting to the bail of the accused persons. In fact, at the level of the police, bail was opened and announced to all the accused persons with reasonable terms and conditions. But we were informed that only three applied for the bail, while the rest refused, saying they wanted unconditional bail at the level of the police.”
On the defence side, Counsel J. Jobarteh, part of the team of lawyers representing the accused persons, urged the court to grant bail on more reasonable terms. He argued that bail should be available to all accused persons with conditions that are fair and accessible.
After hearing both parties, Magistrate Touray ruled that although the prosecution had not objected to bail, the court could not determine the reasonable conditions for bail until the next adjournment. He therefore ordered that all accused persons be remanded at Mile 2 Central Prison.
The matter was adjourned to Thursday, 4th September 2025, at 12:30 p.m. for determination of the bail application.
