AKI, Children, High Court, Medicines, MCA Askanwi Gambia AKI, Children, High Court, Medicines, MCA Askanwi Gambia

High Court Grants Defendant’s Motion to Call Additional Witness in AKI Case

The High Court has ruled in favour of the third, fourth, and fifth defendants in the ongoing Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) case, granting their motion to call an additional witness and accepting the witness statement as properly filed. Justice Ebrima Jaiteh delivered the ruling on Thursday, 27th November 2025. More in this report.

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Human Rights, AKI, Children, Legal, High Court, Medicines, MCA Askanwi Gambia Human Rights, AKI, Children, Legal, High Court, Medicines, MCA Askanwi Gambia

AKI Trial: Judge Questions Defence Over Absent Witness and Procedural Irregularities

The AKI trial continued on Wednesday, 12th November 2025, at Banjul High Court, where proceedings were marked by a tense exchange between the presiding judge, Justice Ebrima Jaiteh, and defence Counsel Oket over the absence of an additional witness the defence had previously indicated would testify. More in the news report.

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Police, Protest, Lawyer, Legal, Human Rights, Explainer Askanwi Gambia Police, Protest, Lawyer, Legal, Human Rights, Explainer Askanwi Gambia

Explainer: Are Permits Required for Public Gatherings and All Protests?

Often, protesters are denied permits by the police, but are permits required for public gatherings and all protests? Our reporter sought answers from the police and a lawyer on the legislative framework guaranteeing freedom of assembly and the legal limitations. More in this explainer.

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MCA, AKI, Children, Health, Ministry of Health, High Court Askanwi Gambia MCA, AKI, Children, Health, Ministry of Health, High Court Askanwi Gambia

Conflicted MCA Director Admits Listing Medicines Without Full Testing Amid Child Deaths

The Executive Director of the Medicines Control Agency (MCA), Mr. Essa Marenah, has admitted under cross-examination that the agency approved medicines through a process called “Listing”—which does not require laboratory testing—due to the country’s limited testing capabilities. His testimony came during the ongoing civil trial over the Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) scandal, in which more than 70 children died after consuming contaminated syrups. Counsel for the plaintiffs argued that the four deadly medicines were never officially registered but merely listed, raising serious questions about regulatory oversight before and after the tragic deaths. More in the report.

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MCA Director Faces Intense Cross-Examination at AKI Trial, Confronts Journalist Over Photo

The Executive Director of the Medicines Control Agency (MCA), Mr. Essa Marenah, came under sharp scrutiny during a tense cross-examination at the High Court on Thursday, as part of the ongoing lawsuit over the deaths of children linked to contaminated medicines. The courtroom tension later spilled outside, where Mr. Marenah confronted a journalist for taking his photo and allegedly attempted to force its deletion. More in the report.

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Fact Sheet: The Dilemma of Witchcraft Accusations in Africa

Witchcraft accusations remain a pervasive issue across Africa, often resulting in serious human rights violations, including violence, social exclusion, and, in extreme cases, death. These accusations disproportionately affect vulnerable groups such as women, children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. In the Gambia, a particularly disturbing incident occurred in 2009 when nearly 1,000 individuals were detained and forced to confess to witchcraft under duress. More in this factsheet.

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Atlantic Pharmaceuticals Director Grilled in Court Over AKI Child Deaths Linked to Contaminated Syrup

The Director of Atlantic Pharmaceuticals, Ali Suman, came under intense cross-examination at the High Court in Banjul on Tuesday, as legal proceedings continue into the deaths of over 70 children allegedly caused by contaminated cough syrups imported by his company. Facing pointed questions from the plaintiffs’ legal team, Mr. Suman defended his company's practices as scrutiny mounted over expired import documents and discrepancies in certification claims. More in this report.

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Have Parliament and the Executive Violated the Law on Budget Oversight?

This publication interrogates the question of whether Parliament and the Executive have violated the law with regards to budget implementation by making reference to legal provisions and highlighting instances when this legal requirement has been ignored. This leaves the door open for waste, fraud, and abuse to continue unabated in The Gambia.

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AKI, Children, Health, MCA, Ministry of Health, Legal, High Court Askanwi Gambia AKI, Children, Health, MCA, Ministry of Health, Legal, High Court Askanwi Gambia

More Bereaved Parents Testify How ‘Bad Medicines’ Killed Their Children in Court

The ongoing Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) legal battle between some 27 bereaved children against the government and two pharmaceutical companies saw more moving testimonies from parents on how “bad medicines” killed their children. More in the report.

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Eight Witnesses Testify How Syrups Killed Their Children in AKI Legal Marathon

During the continuation of the AKI Court Case hearing on the afternoon of 23rd January 2025, witnesses narrated how their children died soon after ingesting paracetamol syrups prescribed by doctors from the hospital. More in this report.

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Askanwi is dedicated to bridging the gap for reliable, balanced, and citizen-centered news that directly impacts the lives of its readers.

By closely monitoring the progress of the country's transitional process, Askanwi continues to lead with powerful human interest stories, including the ongoing coverage of the Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) crisis, the drafting of the new Constitution, and the rollout of the Transitional Justice Program—just to name a few.

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