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By Lamin Ceesay
A group of lawyers defending an opposition leader and his supporters who are remanded in prison for taking part in an ‘unauthorised’ protest against the regime of President Yahya Jammeh have filed a fresh application at the high court in Banjul to secure their release on bail.
The United Democratic Party (UDP) leader, Ousainou Darboe and 18 of his supporters namely; Femi Peters, Lamin Dibba, Kemesseng Jammeh, Lamin Jatta, Yaya Bah, Babucarr Camara, Fakebba Colley, Ismaila Ceesay, Momodou Fatty, Dodou Ceesay, Samba Ceesay, Mamud Kinteh, Mfamara Kuyateh, Fanta Darboe, Lamin Njie, Juguna Suso, Momodou LK Sanneh, Yaya Jammeh were recently jointly charged with multiple counts of criminal offences.
They are accused of taking part in an unlawful assembly, riot, incitement of violence, riotously interfering with traffic, holding a procession without a license and disobeying an order to disperse from an unlawful procession.
They pleaded not guilty to all charges.
During yesterday’s proceeding, Antouman Gaye, head of the defence team, informed the court that they would like to make an oral bail application for bail.
“I wish to inform your lordship that the laws of the Gambia did not allow for written briefs on bail in the high court,” he said.
This was however rejected by the judge, Justice Otabba, who adjourned the case to Thursday.
The judge also urged the state to allow the defence team access to the accused persons in prison.