By Mamadou Dem
The “Conspiracy to commit a misdemeanour” and “publication of false
news” case involving Sainey M.K. Marena, a freelance Journalist, and Musa Sheriff, Editor in Chief and proprietor of the Voice Newspaper, yesterday, Tuesday, 9th September 2014, failed to proceed at the Banjul Magistrates’ Court before Magistrate Muhammed Krubally.
The presiding Magistrate, when approached by journalist to shed light on why the matter was adjourned, he explained that the Prosecuting officer, ASP Musa Camara, reported to the Court and informed him that he was not fully prepared to reply to the “no case to answer” which was orally addressed by Lamin Camara, counsel for the accused persons.
Therefore, he said, the matter was adjourned to mid-month (September) to avail the prosecution with ample time to reply to the submissions made by the defence.
The duo was arraigned on the 16 January 2014. According to the particulars of offence on count one, both accused persons, on or about the 6th of December, 2013 in the city of Banjul and diverse places in the republic of the Gambia, conspired among themselves to publish on the Voice newspaper medium caption “19 GREEN YOUTHS JOIN THE OPPOSITION UDP” dated 6th December 2013, Vol-6 No117 ISSN: 0796-1308, thereby committed an offence.
The particulars of offence on count two alleged that the same accused persons on or about the 6th of December, 2013 in the city of Banjul and diverse places in the republic of the Gambia, whilst employed as Editor in Chief and reporter respectively at the Voice newspaper medium, you made a publication with a caption “19 GREEN YOUTHS JOIN THE OPPOSITION UDP” dated 6th December 2013, Vol-6 No117 ISSN: 0796-1308, knowing or having reason to believe that the said publication is likely to cause fear to the public or disturb the public peace, thereby committed an offence.
The prosecution is expected to reply at the next adjourned date.]]>
