Former Information Minister and human rights activist, Dr Amadou Scattred Janneh has dismissed as “bogus” and “stupid” charges levelled against him in a Gambian court.  

Dr Amadou Scattred Janneh at his son’s graduation ceremony in the US

Omar NK Darboe, Ousman Sanneh, Foday Karl Darboe, Alhagie Kaku Bojang, and Lamin Jassey, were invited for questioning at Gunjur Police on 23rd May in connection with the removal of the Golden Lead waste pipeline discharging factory waste into the sea. They were subsequently charged on three counts of incitement of violence, trespass and destruction of property to the dismay of many environmental and rights activists. The accused persons were then summoned to report to Brikama Police on Wednesday 30 May. They were arraigned at the Brikama Magistrates court on the same day where the case was mentioned. 

On the charge sheet obtained by Gunjur News Online, former Gambian Information Minister and Human Rights activists Dr Amadou Scattred Janneh was also slammed with the ‘bogus’ charges. Five of the accused persons that appeared at the Brikama Magistrates Court on Wednesday pleaded NOT GUILTY to the three count charges. Dr Janneh, who appeared to be the sixth accused is currently on vacation with his family in the USA. He is classed as being ‘at large’by the charge sheet. 

Reacting to the development on his Facebook handle, he enquired:  

“How can you be charged in absentia, and then considered “at large” without ever being served anything? Babili’s regime publicly accused me of espionage while I was in Nigeria in July 2005. I returned without hesitation to face my accusers then. Why would I flee now?”

Charge sheet of the six accused persons for removal of Golden Lead waste pipelines at Gunjur 

Responding to a question put to him by Gunjur News Online on whether he plans to return to Gambia to answer to the ‘bogus’ charges levelled against him, defiant Dr Janneh declared:

“I will return to The Gambia at the end of my trip as planned. I have no reason to be at-large. Even under the previous regime, I was falsely and publicly accused of espionage while on a mission to Nigeria in July 2005. I never hesitated to return to The Gambia to face my accusers. The current charges are bogus and I’m yet to receive any official notification of being accused.”

Also weighing in on the issue, human rights activist Madi Jobarteh postulated : “This is a criminal act perpetrated by the police. It is unacceptable for the police to spread false information about a law abiding and tax paying citizen. That happens only in Police states where the police is a predator”. I think you must sue the IGP for spreading false information about you hence defaming your character and reputation”. 

The case which was briefly heard at the Brikama Magistrates Court is adjourned until 5th June.