The trial of Katim Touray, also known as Kartel, before the Kanifing Magistrates Court did not proceed today after the presiding Principal Magistrate Sallah Mbye was reportedly indisposed.
As a result, the matter was adjourned to 20th July 2026 at 11:00am for the hearing of PW1, the prosecution’s first witness.
Katim Touray was arraigned before Magistrate Mbye on two criminal counts: publication of obscene material in electronic form, contrary to Section 170(1) of the Information and Communication Act, and trafficking in obscene publications, contrary to Section 142(1)(a) and (b) of the Criminal Offences Act 2025.
DSP Y.S. Colley appeared before the court on behalf of the Inspector General of Police. According to the prosecution, Touray and a co-accused, Kaddijatou Bah, who remains at large in May 2025 at Bakoteh, wilfully and unlawfully published and circulated a nude video of one AAAA through WhatsApp and TikTok to several individuals, in a manner calculated to damage her reputation.
When the charges were read to him, Touray pleaded not guilty to both counts. Counsel L.M. Drammeh entered a conditional appearance on his behalf and applied for bail, submitting that the charges are bailable offences. The prosecution objected.
Magistrate Mbye granted bail in the sum of D500,000 with two responsible Gambian sureties, each required to deposit a valid National ID Card with the Registrar of the Court.
Katim Touray was further ordered to surrender his Gambian National ID Card, Gambian passport, his Italian residential permit, and any other travel documents in his possession.
All such documents were to be verified by both the Magistrate and the Registrar upon submission. The court also directed that the telephone numbers of the sureties be verified through GSM companies to confirm their ownership.
The case now returns on 20th July 2026 at 11:00am.
