Africa-Press – Gambia. Principal Magistrate Thomas Touray of the Kanifing Magistrate Court on Monday ordered the remanding of 23 protesters at Mile II Central Prison pending a ruling on their bail conditions.
The individuals are charged with unlawful procession, contrary to Section 5 of the Public Order Act, Cap 22:01, Volume 4, Laws of The Gambia (2009).
They were arrested on Friday, August 22, 2025, after staging a protest outside the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) headquarters. The demonstration, organized by Gambia Against Looted Assets (GALA), Team Gom Sa Bopa, and the Edward Francis Small Centre for Rights and Justice, was in response to the recent introduction of a price floor on data tariffs for GSM operators.
According to police prosecution, the protest held without a permit, and the demonstration was deemed likely to cause a breach of the peace.
The charge sheet identifies the accused as: Lamin Daffeh, Lamin Sey, Badou Secka, Yusuf Taylor, Tumani Colley, Ali Cham, Abdoulie T. Bah, Alieu Sarr, Bakary Jammeh, Musa Conteh, Roufine Camara, Ansumana Touray, Bakary J. Sanyang, Lamin F.M. Mango, Fallou Gallas Ceesay, Yahya Jaiteh, Sisaho Danso, Sulayman Manga, Ebrima Jatta, Ebrima B. Keita, Musa Sanyang, Musa Sisoho, and Ebrima Jallow.
Prosecutors alleged that the group marched along Kairaba Avenue in the Kanifing Municipality without authorization from the Inspector General of Police (IGP).
So far, all 23 defendants pleaded not guilty when the charges were read in English, Wolof, and Mandinka.
Defense counsel Junkung Jobarteh appealed for bail under more lenient terms for the accused. However, Assistant Commissioner Almamy Manga, representing the prosecution, objected, stating that the accused were previously offered bail at their respective police stations but refused the conditions.
The prosecution requested an adjournment to allow time to summon witnesses, a request that was granted.
Principal Magistrate Touray ruled that all 23 accused should be remanded at Mile II until the next court session, scheduled for Wednesday, September 4, 2025, at 12:30 p.m.
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