Counsel J Darboe filed an Originating summons seeking bail for his client Abdoulie Sanyang, who faces four counts of criminal offences at the Magistrate’s Court before the transfer of the case to the High Court.
Counsel J Darboe filed an Originating Summons for Bail on behalf of his client, Abdoulie Sanyang, and informed the court that the state counsel had been served. However, the presiding judge, Justice Jaiteh, noted that for an originating summons, the law requires the application to be heard eight days after its filing.
Director of Public Prosecution, A.M Yusuf, confirmed to the court that the state received the summons earlier in the morning and requested two days to prepare a reply. Accepting the state’s request, Justice Jaiteh adjourned the bail application hearing to Thursday, October 9th.
On the substantive lawsuit, the court has yet to receive the bill of indictment, after the transfer of the case to the High Court meaning the main matter cannot proceed.
The case was transferred to the High Court after the Magistrate’s court lacked jurisdiction to hear the charge of Arson.
Abdoulie Sanyang was charged with four Criminal counts of criminal offences under the Criminal Offences Act 2025 before Magistrate Thomas Touray.
Count One: Arson (Contrary to Section 283): The prosecution alleges that in 2016, in Kanifing South, Sanyang willfully participated in planning and setting fire to the National Bureau of the Alliance for Patriotic Re-orientation Construction (APRC).
Count Two: Seditious Intention (Contrary to Section 48(2)(a) punishable under Section 50(1)(a)): This charge stems from comments Sanyang allegedly made on August 14, 2025, during the “Coffee Time Show” on West Coast Radio. The prosecution claims his comments, which alleged the President was involved in electoral malpractices during the 2021 Presidential elections, were intended to incite hatred, contempt, or disaffection against the President.
Count Three: Incitement to Violence (Contrary to Section 58(1)(a)): Relating to the same radio show on August 14, 2025, the prosecution claims Sanyang stated he provided financial support to the “3 Years Jotna Movement” for an illegal protest aimed at demanding the President’s resignation.
Count Four: Offences Relating to Judicial Proceedings (Contrary to section 99(1)(i)): The final charge alleges that during the August 14, 2025, radio show, Sanyang described the ongoing court hearing of Ousainou Bojang as a “clandestine Court,” a statement the prosecution views as disrespect to judicial proceedings.
By Kexx Sanneh.
