Africa-Press – Gambia. Twenty-three youths were on Monday arraigned before Magistrate Thomas Touray at the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court, facing charges of unlawful procession.
The accused are alleged to have staged a public demonstration on August 22, 2025, without obtaining a permit from the Inspector General of Police, in violation of Section 5(5) of the Public Order Act. According to the charge sheet, their actions were deemed “likely to cause a breach of the peace.”
The prosecution team was led by Assistant Commissioners M. Camera, Manga, and F. Touray, assisted by ASPs A. Touray and Y. Colley. The defendants are represented by a legal team of eight lawyers: Lamin J. Darboe, J. Jobarteh, K. Jallow, C. Mendy, E. Saho, F. Bondi, A. Martins, and L. Jaiteh.
The 23 accused are: Lamin Daffeh, Lamin Sey, Badou Secka, Yusuf Taylor, Tumani Colley, Ali Cham, Abdouli T. Bah, Alieu Sarr, Bakary Jammeh, Musa Conteh, Rofine Camara, Ansumana Touray, Bakary J. Sanyang, Lamin FM Marigo, Fallou Gallas Ceesay, Yahya Jaiteh, Sisaho Danso, Sulayman Manga, Ebrima Jatta, Ebrima B. Keita, Musa Sanyang, Musa Sisoho, and Ebrima Jallow.
During the proceedings, Assistant Commissioner Manga applied to amend the charge sheet, citing a grammatical correction and a change of the alleged offence date from August 23 to August 22. Defence Counsel K. Jallow raised no objection, and Magistrate Touray granted the application.
All 23 defendants pleaded not guilty, with the court entering formal pleas of not guilty on their behalf.
Assistant Commissioner Manga then requested an adjournment to enable the prosecution to call its first witness. He also informed the court that the prosecution did not object to bail, noting that some of the accused had earlier been offered police bail but refused, insisting on unconditional release.
Defence Counsel J. Jobarteh, however, urged the court to grant bail on reasonable terms, stressing that the offence was a misdemeanour and referencing Section 124(3) of the new Criminal Offence Act, which grants the court discretion in such matters.
In a surprise ruling, Magistrate Touray deferred the bail application until September 4, 2025, and ordered all 23 accused to be remanded at Mile 2 Central Prison until that date. The case is expected to resume on September 4 at 12:30 p.m.
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