By Kemeseng Sanneh (Kexx)
A Gambian woman was arraigned on Monday at the Brusubi Magistrates’ Court for allegedly insulting President Adama Barrow, in what legal analysts say is one of the first prosecutions under the country’s newly enacted Criminal Offences Act of 2025.
Mariama Naba Darboe, accused of uttering a parental insult against the President, pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to her in Mandinka. Prosecutors alleged that on 5 July in Tanji, a coastal town in Kombo South, Darboe referred to the President using a profane term — “he is a motherfucker” — a phrase now criminalized under Section 107(2) of the revised law.
The controversial section prohibits “parental insults” directed at high-ranking public officials, including the President, Vice President, Ministers, Members of the National Assembly, and civil servants. The legislation, passed earlier this year by the National Assembly and signed into law by President Barrow, has sparked debate over freedom of expression and the scope of political criticism.
Appearing for the prosecution was Assistant Superintendent of Police O. Bobb, representing the Inspector General of Police, while defense counsel F. Conteh appeared on behalf of Darboe.
Prosecutor Bobb requested an adjournment to allow the State to call its first witness. She said the State did not oppose bail but insisted that the accused surrender her travel documents to the court as a condition.
Counsel Conteh challenged the bail condition, arguing that the request to deposit travel documents was unnecessarily punitive. “The offence charged is a misdemeanor, not a felony,” she told the court, urging a more lenient approach.
In her ruling, Magistrate Jallow noted that the offence is bailable and exercised judicial discretion to grant bail. “Bail is hereby granted under the following conditions,” she said. “A sum of D50,000, two Gambian sureties who must swear to an affidavit of means, and the accused must deposit all her travelling documents with the court.”
The case was adjourned to 9 and 10 July for the continuation of proceedings.
