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Eight executive members of the Operation 3 Years Jotna (3YJ) have been charged and arraigned before the Kanifing Magistrate’s Court Wednesday afternoon. The pressure group (3YJ) had on Sunday, 26th January 2020, organized a protest for the second time, calling for President Adama Barrow to step down.
Sunday’s protest turned out to be violent and the pressure group clashed with the riot police. At the Sting Corner, the police threw tear gas at the protesters and the clash began from Old Jeshwang to Kanifing and Serrekunda area.
At least 137 were initially arrested but only eight (senior executive members) have been dragged to court in the meantime. Police prosecutors have filed three-count charges against the accused persons.
On Count One, the accused persons are charged with unlawful Assembly, contrary to Section 70 of the Criminal Code, Cap 10:01 Vol. III, Laws of The Gambia 2009.
According to the particulars of offence, the accused persons; Abdou Njie, Ebrima Kitim Jarjue, Sheriffo Sonko, Hagi Suwaneh, Fanta Mballow, Karim Touray, Yankuba Darboe and Muctarr Ceesay, on or about the 26th January 2020, at Sting Corner and diverse places around Old Jeshwang in the Kanifing Municipality of the Gambia, jointly and unlawfully took part in an unlawful assembly, thereby committed an offence.
On Count Two, the accused persons are charged with rioting after proclamation, contrary to Section 74 of the Criminal Code, Cap 10:01 Vol. III, Laws of The Gambia 2009.
According to the particulars of offence, the accused persons; Abdou Njie, Ebrima Kitim Jarjue, Sheriffo Sonko, Hagi Suwaneh, Fanta Mballow, Karim Touray, Yankuba Darboe and Muctarr Ceesay, on or about the 26th January 2020, at Sting Corner and diverse places around Old Jeshwang in the Kanifing Municipality of the Gambia, after the expiration of the proclamation made by the Deputy Superintendent of Police Alagie Jallow in the name of the President of the Republic to disperse peacefully, the accused persons disregard such a proclamation and continued to be so assembled riotously; thereby committed an offence.
On Count Three, the accused persons are charged with rioters demolishing structures, contrary to Section 76 of the Criminal Code, Cap 10:01 Vol. III, Laws of The Gambia 2009.
According to the particulars of offence, the accused persons; Abdou Njie, Ebrima Kitim Jarjue, Sheriffo Sonko, Hagi Suwaneh, Fanta Mballow, Karim Touray, Yankuba Darboe and Muctarr Ceesay, on or about the 26th January 2020, at Sting Corner and diverse places around Old Jeshwang in the Kanifing Municipality of the Gambia, being riotously assembled together, unlawfully destroyed the Gambia Technical Training Institute (GTTI) Students Waiting shed by setting it on fire, thereby committed an offence.
The movement had on 16th December 2019, organized a peaceful protest from the Sting Corner to Denton Bridge, along the Banjul-Serrekunda Highway, where they handed over a petition to the president through the Government Spokesperson Ebrima Sankareh.
Photo: Omar Wally
Written by The Digest