Fourteen Common Nuisance Accused Remanded at Mile 2 for 20 Days

Youth at Blackout Protest © Social media

By Edward Dalliah, Jr.

Fourteen people have been arraigned and remanded at Mile 2 Central Prison for 20 days over alleged common nuisance during protest-related disturbances in Daru-Busumbala on 3rd September 2026.

The accused persons were brought before His Worship A. Darboe of the Brikama Magistrates’ Court in two separate groups and charged with common nuisance, contrary to Section 137 of the Criminal Offences Act, 2025.

The Gambia Police Force announced the two arraignments in separate statements published on 16th September 2026.

In the first statement, the Police said Assan Janneh, Mansour Jallow, Bakery Sanneh, Muhammed Colley, Ismaila Colley and Abubacarr Jammeh were arraigned on the charge.

In a second statement issued the same day, the Police said Muhammed Touray, Muhammed Sillah, Omar Jobe, Omar Jarju, Madi Nyang, Samba Manneh, Munirou Manneh and Papis Njie were also arraigned on the same charge.

According to both Police statements, the accused persons allegedly acted “in a manner likely to cause danger, obstruction or annoyance to the public on or about 3rd September 2026, at Daru-Busumbala and other locations within the West Coast Region.”

The Police said the two groups were among persons alleged to have been involved in the 3rd September protest-related disturbances and pointed out that the court subsequently remanded all 14 accused persons at Mile 2 Central Prison and adjourned the matters to 6th October 2026 for hearing.

20 Days Remand Raises Question

The remand raises questions about the basis for keeping the accused persons in custody for 20 days when the offence they face is a misdemeanour, and the punishment prescribed under Section 137 does not include imprisonment.

Under Section 137 of the Criminal Offences Act, 2025, a person convicted of common nuisance “is liable to a fine of not less than D20,000, community service, or both.”

However, classifying common nuisance as a misdemeanour does not automatically mean an accused person must be granted bail. The circumstances of the cases, whether bail was sought or considered, and the court's reasons for remand would need to be established.

But the Police statements do not indicate whether any of the accused persons applied for bail, whether the prosecution opposed bail, or the reasons given by the court for ordering their remand.

A Separate Ninth Accused

The Police's second statement also identified Ebrima Janha as a ninth accused person in that group but said he was not present when the matter was called before the court.

The statement did not indicate whether Janha would subsequently be arraigned or whether any action had been taken concerning his absence.

Police Statements © Gambia Police Force Social Media

Fact-checking Police 3rd September Protest Claim

Askanwi Factcheck desk has reviewed the police statements, noting that the 14 accused persons are being prosecuted against the backdrop of protest-related disturbances in Daru-Busumbala on 3rd September.

Our researcher found out that both local and international news outlets, including Askanwi Media, have reported mass protests over prolonged electricity shortages across Banjul, Kanifing Municipality, and the West Coast Region, which began on the night of 7th to 9th September 2026.

During the protests, some demonstrators reportedly expressed frustration by burning tyres on the streets, while others called for President Adama Barrow to leave office.

The Police also reported incidents of vandalism in some areas, including the destruction of the National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC) office at Latrikunda Sabiji during a press conference on Thursday, 10th September 2026.

Therefore, based on available information, including media reports, the claim that a protest happened “on or about 3rd September 2026, at Daru-Busumbala and other locations within the West Coast Region,” is false and misleading.

Verdict: False and Misleading

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