By: Haddy Touray
The Gambia Press Union (GPU) has expressed concern over the arrest of Momodou Justice Darboe, Editor of Jollof News Online, on Wednesday at the Banjul Magistrates Court.
Darboe was covering the trial of two Austrian nationals, Manuel Di Stofleth Mitterer and Angelika Mitterer, who face charges of “disobedience to lawful orders” after allegedly refusing in July 2025 to provide investigators access to their cryptocurrency accounts and related digital assets.
On 11 March 2026, following a court session, Darboe reportedly took a photograph of the accused as they exited the courtroom. He told GPU that he was subsequently assaulted by police.
“I was attacked from behind for taking a photo of the suspects outside the courtroom,” Darboe said. “My phone was wrenched from my hand by the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Prosecutions, Abdoulie Sanneh,.”
Darboe was arrested and detained at the Police Headquarters in Banjul from approximately 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., before being granted self-bail. He was charged with “common assault,” which the police spokesperson confirmed was related to “assaulting a police officer.”
Darboe has denied the allegations, stating that he could not have assaulted the officer “while they were behind me, and as I was attacked from behind.” On Thursday, Jollof News published photographs showing bruises on Darboe’s hands allegedly sustained during the incident.
He was instructed to report to the police on 12 March 2026 and again on 17 March 2026.
GPU Secretary General Modou S. Joof called for the charges to be dropped. “We call on the police to drop the charge of ‘common assault’ against Mr. Darboe with immediate effect and without condition, and withdraw the bail condition requiring him to report continually to the Police Station in Banjul,” Joof said.
Joof also urged law enforcement to avoid harassment or intimidation of journalists while performing their duties, including coverage of court cases.
GPU President Isatou Keita emphasized that journalists are legally permitted to photograph accused persons outside courtrooms. “While our Cherno Jallow Charter of Ethics for Journalists restricts recording or photography inside courtrooms without prior permission, it does not prevent taking photos of accused persons entering or leaving court,” she said.
Keita added: “Justice Darboe did not violate the code of conduct or any law that would warrant his arrest and detention for taking a photo outside the courtroom. His arrest is therefore unacceptable.”
Meanwhile, Darboe has a history of legal challenges linked to his journalistic work. In September 2024, while serving as Editor at The Voice Newspaper, he was arrested and charged with “false publication” over a story he authored. He was also sued for civil defamation; the criminal charges were later dropped and the defamation suit withdrawn.
