By Mamadou Dem
Magistrate Nixon Jacklin Hakim of the Banjul Magistrates’ Court is expected to deliver ruling on Wednesday 12th November, 2014 on the ‘No Case to answer submission’ filed by the defence on behalf of two journalists.
Sainey Marena, a freelance journalist, and Musa Sheriff, editor and proprietor of the Voice Newspaper, are on trial at the Banjul Magistrates’ Court on two counts of conspiracy to commit misdemeanor and publication of false news. They are accused of conspiracy and publishing on the newspaper that “19 Green Youths joined the opposition UDP on 6 December 2013 after knowing that the said publication was likely to cause fear to the public or disturb the public peace.” They pleaded not guilty to the charges leveled against them.
Prior to the filing of a no case to answer submission by Lamin .S. Camara, eight witnesses testified as prosecution witnesses after which the prosecuting officer, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Musa Camara announced the closure of the case and subsequently the court adjourned the case for ruling. Since then, the matter has suffered series of adjournments.]]>