Magistrate Buba Jawo of the Kanifing Magistrate Court, yesterday ruled that the sedition charges against Fatou Jaw Manneh, a Gambian journalist based in the United States of America will  now be transferred from the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court to the Banjul Magistrates’ Court.

According to him, at this stage of the proceedings, though the offenses with which the accused are charged with can be tried in The Gambia, “it is clear from the already adduced evidence that, the particular court that has the jurisdiction is the Banjul Magistrates’ Court based on the following reasons:

1. The witnesses who testified have told this court that they browsed the article on the internet in Banjul.

2. That is where the mechanical device from which it is said to have been printed is found.

3. That is where the accused is said to have gone with the investigating officers to print the exhibit.

4. That is where PW1 said complaints were lodged concerning the offence with which the accused is charged.

This court is therefore, of the view that unless the court that has the jurisdiction to hear this case is the Banjul Magistrates’ Court.” Consequently, based on section 61 subsection (1) and section 62 (2), the case was transferred to Banjul by Magistrate Jawo.

Magistrate Jawo added that the recognition in respect of the accused should continue adding that the prosecution should ensure that the accused appears before Banjul Magistrates’ Court and the case file and recognition be submitted to the same court.