The Community Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has adjourned the case of Chief Ebrima Manneh, a Gambian journalist of the pro-government Banjul-based Daily Observer newspaper, to March 13, 2008, according to a statement issued by the Ghana based Media Foundation For West Africa. The judgment has been deferred to enable two agents of the National Intelligence Agency who allegedly arrested Manneh on July 7, 2006 at the Daily Observer premises, to testify. Journalist Chief Manneh has been missing since July of 2006.

On November 26, 2007, a witness told the court that he witnessed the arrest of the journalist by the 2 officers.

“Mr. Manneh is feared dead in some quarters. The Government’s recent move to show up at the Abuja court signals that the journalist might as well be murdered. He is either killed or must have been in a bad health conditions. “ sources close to the State House told the Freedom Newspaper. This paper conducted a private investigation into Manneh's whereabouts. Reports we gathered so far are scary so to speak.

Our source said Journalist Manneh might as well be killed together with Daba Marena and four other security detainees. “ Chief Manneh was Daba Marena’s close friend. The NIA agents who arrested him found Daba’s contact details among other things in his possession. The Government thought that he was the insider at the State House supplying information to the Freedom Newspaper. There are two theories responsible for his missing. One Daba Marena’s case and the leaked stories from the State House. The Government of The Gambia should be bold enough to admit responsibility for Chief Manneh’s disappearance. He might as well be killed.” said a close aide of the President.

According to the Media Foundation, the court also said it needed time to translate new evidence it had received from Manne’s counsel into the French language.

Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) is asking the sub-regional court to compel the government of President Yahya Jammeh to produce Manneh and to answer for his arrest and subsequent disappearance.

The government has denied arresting Manneh, even though he has been sighted several times in the custody of state security personnel. The government has consistently refused to appear before the court.