Journalist detained for article on Ivorian president’s wealth

 Joseph Gnahoua Titi, managing editor of the Aujourd'hui newspaper, appeared before an examining magistrate in Cote d’Ivoire for “disseminating false information" and “libel against the head of state.”

 Before being arrested and detained at the Abidjan Remand Home and Prison on July 29, Titi was summoned together with his editor-in-chief, Séverine Blé, on July 28. The two were summoned to explain a publication in Aujourd'hui. Titi was questioned for nearly five hours.

 The said article, published on July 21 and titled "President Ouattara is extremely rich. His wealth is estimated at 17 billion US dollars,” allegedly “impugned the integrity” of Ivorian President Alassanne Ouattara.

Release of journalist Alagie Sissay confirmed

 

Mr Sisay

Gambia Press Union confirmed yesterday that the managing director of Teranga FM radio station, Mr Alagie Sisay has been released after twelve days in the custody of the state.

"He was dumped in the streets of Yundum, near the Airport, at 11pm, where his family picked him after he telephoned to inform them of his release, says Saikou Jammeh secretary general of the union.

"Although Mr Sisay has given no further details regarding his ordeal, his family confirmed that no criminal charge was leveled against him. It has also been confirmed that he was not in good health conditions and had to undergo check-up at a medical facility. "

On 2 July, Sisay, manager of the community radio station Taranga, was at his compound close to the radio station, when he was informed by a friend that two men in plain clothes were looking for him at the station near his house. When Ceesay went to talk to them, his friend also tried to follow the exchange but was told by two men to go away.

"The prolonged detention of Mr Sisay is an infringement on his constitutional right not to be detained beyond 72 hours. His apparent mistreatment is deeply regrettable," Jammeh added.

He said the GPU is committed to the protection and promotion of press freedom and freedom of expression.

UDP’s Treasurer, Others Appear at High Court

Amadou Sanneh (ThePoint)

The Special Criminal Division was packed with family members, love ones and well as well wishers as the National Treasurer of the opposition United Democratic Party, was being escorted to the courtroom by plain cloth officers.

After one week in the hands of the National Intelligent Agency, Amadou Sanneh, Sambou Fatty and Malang Fatty were arraigned before Justice Nkea at the High Court in Banjul.

Sanneh and two others were arrested and since then have been have been in custody at the headquarters of the National Intelligence Agency in Banjul over what the NIA described as a failed attempt to help a young man seek political asylum in Finland.

The state have brought charge(s) against all the accused but they could not take their plea. Sambou Fatty whose appearance prompts the judge to ask what was wrong with him is yet secure the services of a lawyer. The same thing goes to Malang Fatty.

Sambou couldn’t stand straight while on the dock, he was twisting throughout before the court order that he should be made to see a doctor at the Edward Francis Small Teaching hospital.

Broadcast journalist held without charge in Gambia

Fatou Camara

Abuja, Nigeria, October 3, 2013--Gambian authorities should immediately release Fatou Camara, a journalist who has been held incommunicado since September 17, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. The government has not disclosed Camara's whereabouts or any charges against her, according to news reports.
Camara, a broadcast journalist and TV host of the popular "Fatou Show," a weekly current affairs show that airs on the state-owned Gambia Radio and Television Services, was arrested by agents from the National Intelligence Agency on September 15 and released on September 17, according to news reports. She was re-arrested hours later in front of her children and has not been heard from since, local journalists told CPJ.
Camara's detention runs counter to the Gambian constitution, which allows only a detention period of 72 hours without charge.
"Fatou Camara's continued illegal detention without charge for over two weeks now violates the constitution President Yahya Jammeh swore to uphold," said Peter Nkanga, CPJ's West Africa consultant. "The authorities must explain why they are holding her, or she must be released immediately."

Suspected killer of journalist arrested by Police

Ebrahim Foday

 

Tunde Williams, a suspected murderer of Ibrahim Foday, a reporter of privately-owned Freetown-based Exclusive newspaper, was on November 3, 2012 arrested at Kamakwei, a town north of the country by officials of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Sierra Leonean Police Service.

Daily News Reporter Detained While Investigating Killing Involving Anti-Drug Officers

Police in Banjul on Monday briefly detained The Daily News’ judicial correspondent who was investigating the killing of a man allegedly tortured by four officers of National Drug Enforcement Agency (NDEA).
Mr Cherno Alieu Suwareh was allegedly tortured to death by four NDEA officers: Eku Grant, Ebou Lowe, Abdoulie E. Jallow and Matarr Sey Jawo. The four men are being detained.
Mr Baba Sillah was probing into this murder incident when he was arrested and detained for about half an hour on the orders of the station officer at police headquarters in Banjul, who found the journalist taking details of the incident from a diary officer after the police spokesperson declined to comment.
“My notebook was seized and handed over to one female police officer who tore the cover of my book where I wrote the names of the suspected killers,” Mr Sillah said.
Baba said, his notebook was searched through and after no information regarding the NDEA officials was found, he was released.
When contacted, the police spokesperson, Yorro Mballow said he was not aware of Mr Sillah’s arrest and detention.
“Sillah has no one to blame but himself. If he needs any information, he should have contacted me,” the police spokesperson said.
However, Mr Sillah said, it is a practice that journalists obtain details of newsworthy incidents from the police spokesperson and Mballow has been doing it on other cases, but refused to do it this time.