By Lamin Sanyang
Magistrate Isatou Janneh of the Bundung Magistrates’ Court yesterday, 
Thursday, 19 June, 2014 postponed the delivery of judgment in the trial of Mr. Lasana Jobarteh of the opposition United Democratic Party (UDP).
As the crowded courtroom was anxiously waiting for the judgment, a court official walked into the courtroom and went up to the defense counsel, Ousainou Darboe, to ask him to answer to the magistrate in her chambers. A few minutes later, it was announced that the matter was pushed to next week.
“The magistrate said the judgment is not ready,” said Lawyer Darboe.
The courtroom was almost full to capacity with relatives, friends and sympathizers of the accused person.
It could be recalled that Mr. Lasana Jobarteh was arrested and detained at the National Intelligence Agency [NIA] headquarters in Banjul and denied access to his family and friends for eight days. He was later escorted to the police headquarters in Banjul. Thereafter, he was transferred to the Bundung police station from where he was taken to the Bundung Magistrates’ Court. He was charged with broadcasting without a license, contrary to the Information and Communication Act 2009.
The particulars of offence was that between 14 and 15 December 2013, while attending the opposition United Democratic Party [UDP] political rallies at Buffer Zone in the Kanifing Municipality and Brikama and diverse places, Jobarteh talked on Skype using an IPOD and gave information abroad without a broadcasting license, and thereby committed an offence.
Magistrate Ibrahim Kijera of the Bundung Magistrates’ Court granted him court bail in the sum of D250, 000 and ordered him to produce two Gambian sureties who shall deposit their ID cards, and further stated that one of them must deposit a title deed with the court’s registrar.
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