High Court to hear Dr. Janneh’s treason charges

Dr Janneh

The lower court in Banjul, presided by Magistrate Alagbe Taiwo Ade has moved the treason trial against former Gambian minister Dr. Amadou Scattred Janneh and three others to the High Court.

Upon reviewing the charge sheet, the court holds firmly the view that it lacks the jurisdiction to preside over treason charges in accordance with Section 5 Sub-section A of the Criminal Procedure Code, Magistrate Taiwo said, before ordering for their remand at Mile II, the State’s Central Prison.

On June 14, 2011, Dr Janneh, a former Communications Minister; Michael Ucheh Thomas; Modou Keita; and Ebrima Jallow were arraigned at the Banjul Magistrate Court and charged with three offences of “Conspiracy to commit felony to wit treason”, “Treason”, and “Sedition”. They are yet to take their plea.

Dr Janneh, who was arrested by plain-cloth security agents on June 7, 2011 at his office in Kotu, The Gambia, faces all three charges, while his compatriots are standing trial on Conspiracy and Sedition.

The former Minister of Information, Communication and Information Technology

Was appointed in April 4, 2004 and dismissed in July 6, 2006. Following his dismissal, he set up and headed as CEO, the Commit Company Limited, a communications and information technology enterprise.

Charges

Count 1: Conspiracy to commit Felony to wit Treason, Contrary to section 35(1)(g) of the Criminal Code cap 10:01 Vol. III Laws of The Gambia 2009. The Particulars of offence stated that Dr. Amadou Scattred Janneh, Michael C. Ucheh Thomas, Modou Keita and Ebrima Jallow on or about the month of May 2011 in the Kairaba Avenue and diverse places in the Republic of the Gambia, you conspired among yourselves to carry out an enterprise with force with the intent to usurp the executive powers of the state thereby committing an offence.

Count 2: Treason Contrary to Section 35(1)(c) of the Criminal Code Cap 10:01 Vol. III Laws of The Gambia 2009. The Particulars of offence stated that Dr Amadou Scattred Janneh on or about the month of May 2011 at Kairaba Avenue and diverse places in the Republic of The Gambia, you distributed T-Shirts bearing “Coalition for change The Gambia, End to Dictatorship Now” with intent to usurp the executive powers of the state thereby committed an offence.

Count 3: Seditious intent contrary to section 51(1)(a) of the criminal code cap 10:01 Vol. III Laws of The Gambia 2009. The Particulars of offence stated that Dr. Amadou Scattred Janneh, Michael C. Ucheh Thomas, Modou Keita and Ebrima Jallow on or about the month of May 2011 at the Kairaba Avenue and diverse places in the republic of the Gambia, you distributed T. Shirts bearing ‘Coalition for change The Gambia’, ‘End to Dictatorship Now’ with intent to incite the inhabitants of the Gambia to attempt to procure alteration or otherwise by lawful means thereby committed an offence.