Police Officer Testifies GALA Had No Police Permit to Use Youth Monument

GALA Advocates outside court © Askanwi

By Fatou Konteh

Fourteen members of Gambians Against Looted Assets (GALA), who were arrested on 8th May 2026 at the Westfield Youth Monument while setting the stage for the commemoration of their one-year anniversary, have appeared before the Kanifing Magistrate Court for the continuation of their trial.

The activists are facing a charge of unlawful assembly under Criminal Offences Act 2025, and if found guilty, could face imprisonment, with or without hard labour, for up to one year.

The hearing was held on Thursday, 23rd July 2026, before Magistrate B. Sowe, with Police Prosecutor DCP M. Jarju leading the prosecution. During the hearing, the prosecution called its first witness, CSP Dawda Jallow, who told the court that upon arriving at the Westfield Youth Monument, he approached one of the accused, identified as Saibo, and asked why the group had gathered at the monument.

According to the witness, Saibo informed him that they were at the monument to hold a meeting. CSP Jallow said he then asked whether they had obtained permission to hold the gathering, to which Saibo allegedly responded: “No, we don’t need permission to hold this meeting.”

The witness testified that he informed the group that they could not hold the meeting without obtaining a police permit from the Office of the Inspector General of Police (IGP). However, he told the court that the group insisted, “The meeting will hold.” Witness Jallow further testified that he instructed the group to disperse since they had no police permit, but they refused to comply.

Lead Prosecutor M. Jarju asked the witness to describe the situation he encountered at the monument. In response, CSP Jallow said he found the group gathered at the monument, causing a disturbance. He maintained that the gathering was unlawful because the group had no police permit from the Office of the IGP.

When asked how many people were present, the witness said he could not state the exact number because there were many people at the scene. He added that he repeatedly warned those present to disperse or face arrest. According to his testimony, members of GALA told him they were not worried about being arrested. This led him to call the Police Intervention Unit (PIU) for assistance.

Asked by the lead prosecutor whether he found the group in a lawful meeting or unlawfully assembled, CSP Jallow maintained that they were unlawfully gathered because they had not secured the required permit.

He testified that upon the arrival of the PIU, the group was again asked whether they had obtained a police permit from the IGP, but they answered in the negative and were instructed to leave the area or face arrest. He told the court that when the group refused to leave, the PIU arrested them.

Following the testimony of the prosecution’s first witness, the prosecution applied for an adjournment, and the case was adjourned to 15th September 2026 for the continuation of the trial.