Mr Kah is standing trial before Magistrate Isatou Janneh of Kanifing for uttering a seditious statement against the photo of the president. He was arrested and detained by the state security agents for about two weeks before being arraigned.
Prosecutors charged that between 4-5pm on 14 November, 2013, at Latrikunda German, Mr Kah told one Lamin Camara who was pasting a photograph of the president on a vehicle, that he should have pasted it on the sky instead, which the prosecutors believed was seditious and showed disrespect to the person of the president.
In his effort to establish a prima facie case against Mr Kah, police prosecutor Sergeant Colley presented five witnesses to testify. But counsel for the accused, Lamin Camara, made a no-case submission arguing that the evidences adduced by the prosecution witnesses and the content of the charge sheet did not warrant his client to enter his defence. However, his application was dismissed.
Under cross-examination Thursday, Mass Kah said saying it was only Halifa Sallah who wears trousers in The Gambia and the statement about pasting the president’s photo on the sky did not tantamount to showing disrespect.
“I see this as a promotion and not disrespect to say, let them paste the photo of the president on the sky,” Mr Kah told the courtroom.
At that point, the police prosecutor, Sergeant Yaya Colley announced for the closure of his cross-examination. Lawyer Camara then stood up to inform the court that he was ready to address the court at that moment. But Prosecutor Sergeant Colley suggested for an adjournment. The matter was finally adjourned by the trial magistrate to May 15 for adoption of briefs.
By Baba Sillah
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