By: Dawda M. Jallow
Fourteen members of the Gambians Against Looted Assets (GALA) Monday appeared before the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court for plea taking on charges of unlawful assembly and common nuisance.
The proceedings were presided over by Magistrate Binta Sowe, while the prosecution team was led by Deputy Commissioner M. Jarjue and Deputy Superintendent Y. S. Colley on behalf of the Inspector General of Police.
The accused persons were represented by a defence team comprising Senior Counsel L. S. Camara, M. Tabally, A. Jobarteh, M. B. Sanyang and B. Badjie.
The accused persons face two counts of unlawful assembly contrary to Section 63 of the Criminal Offences Act and common nuisance under Section 137 of the same Act.
Court documents alleged that on 8 May 2026, the accused persons — including Omar Saibou Camara, Hakeem Touray, Alieu Sarr, Omar Sanyang, Abdoulie T. Bah, Ebrima Janha, Alieu Bah, Muhammed Sillah, Mamadou Jallow, Kemeseng Sanneh, Fallou Gallas Ceesay, Kaddy Jadama, Maimuna Bah and Ebrima Kaira — unlawfully assembled at the Westfield Youth Monument in the Kanifing Municipality without a permit from the Inspector General of Police.
They are also accused of conducting themselves in a manner that allegedly caused public annoyance, obstruction and inconvenience.
When the charges were read and interpreted in a language they understood, all fourteen defendants pleaded not guilty.
Then the prosecution requested an adjournment to secure its first witness and raised no objection to bail. It also informed the court that some of the accused were already standing trial in other courts on similar charges.
Defence counsel M. Tabally opposed any delay in granting bail, citing constitutional provisions on the presumption of innocence and the right to liberty.
In her ruling, Magistrate Binta Sowe granted bail to all accused persons in the sum of D80,000 each, with two Gambian sureties required per accused. The sureties must swear to affidavits of means and provide valid identification, residential details, and contact information, including GSM verification.
The court further ordered that sureties would be held liable should any accused fail to appear.
The case was adjourned to 11 June 2026 for continuation of hearing.
