By Kemo Kanyi
Ten youths from Kombo Manduarvillage were Monday remanded by Principal Magistrate Anna O. Mendy of the Brikama Magistrates’ Court for allegedly disobedience lawful order given by the police high command of the West Coast Region.
The IGP was represented by ASP Buteh Sawaneh. There wasn’t any counsel representing the accused persons. However, the courtroom was fully occupied by residents of Manduar, including elderly men and women, wives of some of the accused, and among other relatives.
The case has witnessed a high-security presence within and outside the court premises.
The accused persons Bubacarr A. Sowe (chairman of Manduar VDC-1st accused), Lamin Makalo (2nd accused), Musa M. Jallow (3rd accused), Habib Bojang (4th accused), Samba Jaiteh (5th accused), Pa Malick Jobe (6th accused), Ousman Sowe (7th accused), Alagie Bah (8th accused), Muhammed Sanneh (9th accused), Sambujang Conteh (10th accused) charged for ‘disobedience of lawful orders’ and ‘prohibition of conduct conducive to breaches of peace conduct’ contrary to section 116 of the criminal code cap 10:01 volume III Laws of the Gambia and section 9 0f the Public Order Act criminal code cap 22:01 IV Laws of the Gambia 2009.
The indictment alleged that Bubacarr A. Sowe and others deliberately disobeyed the order of the West Coast Police Commissioner, Kallilu Njie, who ordered the maintenance of peace by restraining individuals from interfering with the conflict area of the land situated at Manduar. It added that all the accused were using insulting and abusive language against each other, which resulted in commotion. These incidents happened on the 6th of April at Manduar village, Kombo Central, West Coast Region of the Republic of The Gambia.
All the accused pleaded not guilty to charges preferred against them.
ASP Buteh Sawaneh sought an adjournment and objected to the bail of the accused persons for the orderly maintenance of peace in the area.
Principal Magistrate Anna O. Mendy granted the application made by the prosecution and remanded all the 10 accused persons at the Mile II Central Prison pending the commencement of a hearing into the matter.
At that juncture, the matter was adjourned to the 18th of April 2024 for the commencement of the trial.
