By: Cecilia E.L. Mendy
A police officer on Monday testified before the High Court in Banjul on the arrest of a man accused of circulating WhatsApp audio messages allegedly calling on President Adama Barrow to step down.
Sergeant Ansumana Kujabi gave evidence before Justice Ebrima Jaiteh in the case involving Omar Kujabi, who faces multiple charges, including sedition.
The prosecution is led by State Counsel F. Drammeh, while Counsel J. Jenj represents the accused.
According to the charge sheet, the accused faces five counts. The first count relates to sedition, contrary to Section 52(1)(a) of the Criminal Code Cap 10:01 Laws of The Gambia (2009). The prosecution alleges that between September and October 2022, in Kafuta village and other parts of the West Coast Region, the accused made and circulated WhatsApp audio messages calling on members of the public to march to State House to unlawfully remove the government.
The second count alleges that the accused made statements intended to bring the President into hatred or contempt and to incite disaffection against him. The third count relates to intent to intimidate or annoy, with the prosecution alleging that the accused threatened to assault officers of the Police Intervention Unit sent to arrest him.
The fourth count concerns publication of false news with intent to cause fear and alarm to the public, contrary to Section 59(1) of the Criminal Code. The fifth count alleges that the accused used WhatsApp to threaten officers providing security to the President.
In his testimony, Sgt. Kujabi said he has served in the police force for 13 years and is currently attached to the Special Investigation Unit. He told the court that he was part of the team that arrested the accused in November 2022.
He said that at the time he was attached to the Anti-Crime Unit and received instructions from Commissioner Momodou Sowe to join an operation targeting a suspect linked to the audio messages.
He added that more than 10 officers were deployed and that a photograph of the suspect was shared among them while en route to Sotokoi village.
“Upon arrival at the compound, I saw a man attempting to flee whose appearance matched the photograph we had received,” the witness told the court.
He said officers pursued the suspect and one of his colleagues apprehended him. The accused was subsequently taken to the Anti-Crime Unit, where he gave a statement.
The witness said he did not know the owner of the compound but noted that the accused ran upon seeing the officers.
Under cross-examination, defence counsel questioned the witness on the content of the audio recordings, arguing that they form the core of the case.
The witness said he could not recall all the details, noting that the incident occurred about three years ago. He, however, maintained that he recalled the accused calling for President Barrow to step down.
Justice Jaiteh adjourned the case to May 19, 2026, for continuation.
