Lamin Njie, deputy editor of privately-owned Daily newspaper, was on June 25, 2012 released from prison custody after being detained at the Gambia State Central Prison over his report on a court proceeding. Media Foundation for West Africa’s (MFWA) sources reported that Njie was arrested on June 22, 2012 on the orders of the High Court presided over by Justice Emmanuel Nkea, a Nigerian judge over a report he filed on a court proceeding.
In a June 18 publication in the Daily News headlined “Court denied bail to GRA official”, Njie erroneously reported that the High Court had denied bail to some officials of the Gambia Revenue Authority, GRA standing trial over economic crimes in the country. According to Justice Nkea, the story was false and subsequently ordered his arrest.Njie before his release explained to the court that his story was based on reports of the case on the state-owned Gambia Radio and Television Services, GRTS.
Meanwhile Abdul Hamid Adiamoh, managing editor of privately-owned Today newspaper, who was also arrested by the Banjul Magistrates’ Court on June 20, has still not been released and it remains unclear if he would, before June 28, the next adjourned date.
For more information please contac:
Kwame Karikari (Prof)
Executive Director
MFWA
Accra
Tel: 233-30-22 4 24 70
Fax: 233-302-22 10 84
Email: [email protected], [email protected]
Website: www.mediafound.org