Gambia: Seven Charged Journalists Taken To Jail!!!

As High Court Orders For The Detention Of  The Accused Persons

By Staff Writer Lamin Jallow, Banjul

The legal nightmares confronting the seven charged Gambian journalists continue to lingers on, as the High court this morning ordered for the immediate detention of the accused persons. High court judge Justice Joseph Wowo,  in his ruling revoked the bail that was extended to the embattled Gambian journalists by a subordinate court. The accused persons, who faces new charges of defamation were put on board a prison truck, and whisked away to the Mile Two Central Prisons.  The environment was charged in court  on Friday, as friends, and families of the charged journalists could be seen weeping.

The seven journalists are standing trial for defaming Gambian President Yahya Jammeh. They have been accused of circulating what the state perceived as “ libelous and defamatory” materials against the President Yahya Jammeh.

The whole problem started, when the main journalist body,The Gambia Press Union censored President Jammeh on his recent comments on the death of slain editor Deyda Hydara. The Press union argues that the President’s statement was "irresponsible", and uncalled for, and therefore demanded an enquiry into the murder of Hydara.

Members of the legal fraternity here have expressed concern over what they call  the lack of judicial independence in the country. They denounced the detention of the journalists.

A top Gambian lawyer who spoke with the Freedom Newspaper late Friday afternoon remarked " I do not see any justification for the judge's move. There was no evidence adduce in court to suggest that the accused persons have violated the conditions of their bail. They were just dumped in jail like common criminals. I think what is happening in this country is unacceptable. Gambians need to take a stance to end the injustices taking place in this country. No one is safe as far I am concerned. If the courts cannot deliver an independent, an honest legal opinion, or ruling then what is the purpose of having a  judiciary? We are in big trouble," warns the Lawyer.

The UK based Amnesty International, and other rights groups converged in London this morning protesting against the worsening human rights situation in The Gambia. Amnesty is demanding for the dropping of the charges brought against the journalists, and as well an end to media harassment in The Gambia.

The International human rights watchdog is organizing anti Jammeh campaign in Europe, and the United States. The group wants the Jammeh Government to respect the rights, and liberties of Gambians.

Meanwhile, the President of The Gambia Press Union Ndey Tapha Sosseh is shuttling between Mali, and Dakar Senegal.  Madam Sosseh who fears for her possible arrest upon her return to The Gambia, had earlier told the Voice Of America’s Howard Lesser in an Interview that she anticipated the detention of her colleagues by The Gambian authorities. 

“That is my main fear, that Friday is a half-day in Gambia. They’ll appear in court around 11 a.m. and the courts close at midday. They will be fined with horrendous fines that we cannot meet or given bail conditions we cannot meet, within a 30-minute period, just so they will be put back into prison. I actually think that,” she said.

Well, Ndey’s predictions turned out to be true. All the seven charged journalists have been placed in maximum prison security pending further notice. No reason was advanced for their detention.

Observers here believe that the latest move was a diplomatic retaliation on the side of  The Gambia, following condemnations it received from Washington, and the EU over its appalling rights record. 

Also reporting was Senior Staff Writer Justice Sam, Banjul.