Africa-Press – Gambia. The trial of three members of the Gambians Against Looted Assets (GALA) Movement—charged with unlawful assembly and common nuisance—continued this week as the prosecution called its first witness, Police Superintendent Dawda Jallow of the Serrekunda Division.
Superintendent Jallow, a resident of Gunjur Kunkujang, testified before Principal Magistrate Sallah Mbye about the events leading to the arrest of the accused on September 16, 2025. Under oath, he confirmed to Prosecutor Commissioner Sanneh that he recognized all three accused persons in the dock: Omar Saiboo Camara, Alieu Bah, and Kemo Fatty.
According to his testimony, Superintendent Jallow received a report on the morning of September 16 regarding an alleged protest at the National Audit Office (NAO) in Kanifing, which falls under his jurisdiction. In response, he mobilized approximately 50 police constables and proceeded to the scene.
Upon arrival, he said he first encountered a group of journalists who claimed they were there to attend a press conference. “While they gathered, I asked them for a document to indicate their presence there. They said no, they didn’t have it,” Jallow told the court. He said he instructed the journalists not to proceed with the conference, after which they dispersed.
Shortly afterward, Superintendent Jallow said, another group led by the first accused, Omar Saiboo Camara, arrived at the premises. Camara reportedly informed him that they had come to hold a press conference.
“I asked them if they had any permits or documents that qualified him to be here, and he said no,” Supt. Jallow told the court. When asked about the number of people, Jallow stated, “There were many,” though he could not provide an exact figure.
Superintendent Jallow testified that he recognized the second and third accused persons, Alieu Bah and Kemo Fatty, among the group present at the National Audit Office. He said he instructed the first accused, Omar Saiboo Camara, to disperse immediately—a command which Camara complied with.
However, Jallow stated that Alieu Bah refused to leave, and Kemo Fatty joined him, insisting that they would proceed to hold the press conference despite not having the required permit.
When asked by Prosecutor Commissioner Sanneh to describe the situation at the scene, Superintendent Jallow said the environment became “chaotic,” prompting the arrival of Police Intervention Unit (PIU) officers who assisted in arresting Bah and Fatty. The two were subsequently taken to the Kairaba Police Station.
During cross-examination, Defence Counsel L.S. Camara questioned Superintendent Jallow on his role and actions during the incident. The witness confirmed that he was the officer commanding operations at the scene and that he had written an official statement regarding the incident on September 16, 2025.
Counsel Camara asked, “Did you write a statement after the arrest of the accused persons?” to which Superintendent Jallow responded, “Yes, I did.”
During cross-examination, Defence Counsel L.S. Camara asked Superintendent Jallow when he had written his official statement regarding the incident.
“I wrote the statement on the 16th of September, 2025,” the witness replied.
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