By Louise Jobe
Magistrate Fatou Darboe of the Brikama Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 30 April granted bail to the farmers detained based on the instruction of the Chief of Foni Jarrol.
They were arraigned by the police and charged. They all pleaded not guilty. They were accused of disobeying the Chief’s Tribunal order that no one should interfere in the land until the case before him is concluded. Alhagie Jobe, Abdoulie Jobe and Bala Jobe were released on bail. The bail bond was for one Gambian to sign a bail bond of Twenty-Five Thousand Dalasi (D25,000) and the person shall deposit his or her national identity card with the Registrar of the Court.
They were charged with disobedience of the order of the District Tribunal contrary to section 116 of the Criminal Code. The prosecution alleged that Alhagie Jobe, Abdoulie Jobe and Bala Jobe on the 29th day of April 2024 at Nioro Jarrol deliberately disobeyed the order of Foni Jarrol District Tribunal for the maintenance of peace by restraining individuals from interfering in the ‘conflict land’ at Noiro Jarrol.
The Chief of the District issued a “STOP WORK NOTICE” dated the 25th of April 2024. Here is the information contained in the order: “The Foni Jarrol District Tribunal in the Republic of the Gambia, in the matter between Alkalo Boye Sambou Vs Balla Jobe, hereby orders that you stop all forms of work/ development on the plot compound situated at Jarrol village in the Foni Jarrol District West Coast Region forthwith. The said plot / compound is currently in dispute and before the Foni Jarrol District Tribunal for redress. Anyone found working on this area will tantamount to a contempt of court order and will be seriously dealt with in accordance to law. Please obey.”
The three (3) accused persons informed the court that they have been clearing the area before the District Tribunal Order was made.
The case was adjourned to the 20th of May 2024 for commencement of the trial.
