The prosecution has amended its charges against Abdul Wahab Jobarteh. Instead of three charges, he now faces seven charges.
When the case was called before Magistrate A. Manneh of the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court, the Inspector General of Police was represented by Assistant Commissioner A. Manga, along with DSP Y. S. Colley and C. B. Jallow, while Counsel K. Bojang appeared for the accused.
After the announcement of representation, lead prosecutor ACP A. Manga sought to substitute the original charges with a fresh seven-count indictment pursuant to Section 218 of the Criminal Procedure Act 2025. The defence counsel didn’t object to the application, and Magistrate Manneh ordered that the new charges be read over to the accused.
The amended indictment now comprises seven counts, broadening the allegations. Count One is the most serious, causing danger or blocking the public highway (Section 194 of the Criminal Offences Act 2025). The prosecution accused him of driving with a police sergeant on the bonnet of the vehicle.
Count Two is driving without a valid licence. Count Five is careless driving (Section 51 of the Motor Traffic Act).
Count Six is using tinted glass without permission (Section 25C of the Motor Traffic Act Amendment Act, 2013).
Count Seven is driving a vehicle without paying road tax (Section 22A of the Motor Traffic Act Amendment Act, 2013).
All the charges relate to the incident that occurred on June 5, 2026. The vehicle involved is a Mercedes-Benz C-Class with registration number BJL 6726 J. Abdul Wahab Jobarteh pleaded not guilty to all seven counts.
The prosecution opened its case by calling its first witness, Assistant Superintendent Mam Berry Touray, an Information Technology expert attached to the Information Technology Unit of the Gambia Police Force Headquarters in Banjul.
ASP Touray testified to his qualifications, stating that he holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from the University of Science and Technology in Casablanca, Kingdom of Morocco, and a Master’s degree from the same institution. His expertise in digital forensics and video retrieval appears central to the prosecution’s evidentiary strategy.
ASP Touray testified that in June 2026, he was directed by his superior to download a video footage from the social media platform Facebook.
The case adjourned to 10th and 11th August 2026, at 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm for continuation of testimony.
