By Rohey Jadama
The following are the four charges proffered against 33 young people, including a woman and an 18 year old boy, from the coastal village of Kartong in the Kombo South District in the West Coast Region.
The charges are Conspiracy to commit Misdemeanor, Prohibition of Conduct, Riot, and Malicious Injuries.
Count one: “Conspiracy to commit misdemeanor, contrary to section 269 of the criminal code cap. 10:01, vol. III, revised Laws of the Gambia 2009. It alleges that Sadibou Bojang, Victor Colley, Ebrima Ceesay, Abdou B.M Ceesay, Abdoukarim Sabally, Sankung Jawo, Sheikh Janneh, Saikou E. Camara, Ansumana Manneh, Yaya Touray, Ambruss Bass, Amadou Ceesay, Alieu Touray, Lamin K. Touray, David Manneh, Emil Demba, Omar Bojang, Morikebba Saidy, Omar Manneh, Abdoulie Jarju, Yama Jarju, Yaya Jabang, Kankang Jarju, Pa Manneh, Buba Manneh, Bubacarr Manneh, Omar Manneh, Modou Manneh, Ebrima Manneh, Lamin Ceesay, Baba Ceesay, Yusupha Manneh, Habib Manneh and Muhamed L. Manneh, for on the 22nd day of November 2015, at Kartong sand mining site, Kombo South, West Coast Region, in the Republic of the Gambia, conspired among themselves to commit misdemeanor and thereby committed an offence.
Count two ‘Prohibition of Conduct’, it alleges that the 33 people at Kartong sand mining site, Kombo South, West Coast Region, in the Republic of the Gambia, conducted themselves in a manner likely to cause a breach of peace.
Count three:‘Riot’ contrary to section 69 of the Criminal Code Cap 10:01 Vol. III states that on the 22nd day of November 2015 at Kartong village at the sand mining site, at the same Village, they assembled and conducted themselves in a manner that caused reasonable fear to their neighbours which is likely to cause a breach of the peace.
Count four: ‘Malicious injuries’ contrary to section 312 (1) of the criminal code cap 10:01 Vol III Revised laws of the Gambia 2009. The 33 people are alleged to have riotously assembled unlawfully and with force to prevent, hinder and obstruct the following vehicles BJL 2819 K, BJL 1878 K, BJL 1451 Land BJL 5935 K, from loading sand at the sand mining site I area.
Count five: ‘Riotously Interfering with Vehicle/Vessel’ contrary to section 78 of the Criminal Code Cap 10:01 VOL 111 Revised laws of the Gambia, on the same date and settlement. The 33 are alleged to have riotously assembled and conducted themselves with force to prevent or obstruct the loading of vehicles.
