By Nelson Manneh
The Kanifing Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 25th August 2025, descended into chaos after Principal Magistrate Thomas Touray ordered the remand of twenty-three youths charged with Control of Procession contrary to section 5(5) of the Public Order Act.
The remanded youths had been arrested during a peaceful protest on Friday, 22nd August 2025, outside the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) complex beside the American Embassy along Kairaba Avenue.
They were part of a group demonstrating against PURA’s decision to impose a floor price of D50 for 1GB of mobile data after a price war between telecom companies had pushed prices below that amount. Protesters argued that the new regulation drastically raised the cost of data, placing a heavy burden on consumers, particularly students, teachers, health workers, farmers, small businesses, and low-income earners.
Police considered the protest unlawful for lacking a permit and initially arrested nineteen demonstrators. However, by Monday, twenty-three individuals were arraigned before the Magistrates’ Court.
The protesters maintained that no permit was required since they were not in procession or using loudspeakers, but merely exercising their constitutional right to peaceful assembly.
As the accused were brought into court on Monday, hundreds gathered outside the premises awaiting the decision. Tension erupted when Magistrate Touray announced that all twenty-three would be remanded at Mile 2 Central Prison.
“Release them unconditionally or take us all to Mile 2. We will not allow you to remand them,” some supporters shouted as they staged a sit-in at the court gates.
Others expressed frustration and despair. “They haven’t done anything that should warrant the court to remand them. We are all Gambians and should be treated fairly,” one protester said. Tears streamed down the faces of relatives as they watched their loved ones being taken away.
“Take them to Mile 2, God will be the judge between us. We made a simple demand and it ends up like this,” another supporter lamented.
Among those remanded was activist and rapper Ali Cham, popularly known as Killer Ace, who defiantly declared: “I knew this is the only way you want to suppress us, but we will never surrender. I will continue to fight corruption. Nepotism must come to an end.”
The situation spiraled after police fired tear gas at the crowd, prompting protesters to retaliate by throwing stones into the court premises. The scene quickly turned violent and chaotic. Many suffocated from the tear gas, with Red Cross volunteers seen carrying unconscious individuals to safety.
In a related incident, heavily armed personnel from the Police Intervention Unit (PIU) have arrested 14 youths—including four women—outside Mile Two Central Prison, according to journalist Amadou Jawo of The Point Newspaper. The group was marching towards Banjul in protest over the detention of 23 youths who were remanded earlier today.
Led by prominent environmental activist Kemo Fatty, the demonstrators were intercepted at the prison gates by PIU officers, who cited official orders as the reason for blocking their path. Fatty argued that the protest was peaceful and lawful, urging the officers to allow them to proceed.
Despite his appeal, a chief inspector confronted Fatty and ordered the immediate arrest of the entire group.
The case was adjourned to Thursday, 4th September 2025, when the court will determine the accused persons’ bail application. In the meantime, all twenty-three remain detained at Mile 2 Prison.
