Prosecutors Add Charges Against Jobarteh as Police IT Expert Testifies on Video Evidence

Prosecutors have broadened their case against Abdul Wahab Jobarteh, replacing three traffic-related charges with a new seven-count indictment as the trial opened this week at the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court.

The case was called before Magistrate A. Manneh, with the Inspector General of Police represented by Assistant Commissioner A. Manga, along with Deputy Superintendent Y. S. Colley and C. B. Jallow. Counsel K. Bojang appeared for the defense.

After representatives for both sides identified themselves, the lead prosecutor, Assistant Commissioner Manga, applied to substitute the original charges with the new seven-count indictment, invoking Section 218 of the Criminal Procedure Act 2025. Defense counsel raised no objection, and Magistrate Manneh ordered that the amended charges be read to the defendant.

The revised indictment significantly expands the scope of the case. The most serious charge, Count One, accuses Mr. Jobarteh of danger or obstruction on a public highway, under Section 194 of the Criminal Offences Act 2025—a count that appears aimed at capturing the central allegation in the case: that Mr. Jobarteh drove his vehicle with a police sergeant clinging to its hood.

Count Two charges him with unlicensed driving under the Motor Traffic Act. Count Five accuses him of careless driving, under Section 51 of the Motor Traffic Act. Count Six alleges unauthorized use of tinted glass, under Section 25C of the Motor Traffic Act (Amendment) Act of 2013, and Count Seven charges him with operating a vehicle without paying road tax, under Section 22A of the same amendment act.

All seven counts stem from the same incident on June 5, and involve the same vehicle, a Mercedes-Benz C-Class bearing the registration number BJL 6726 J. Mr. Jobarteh pleaded not guilty to each count.

The prosecution then called its first witness, Assistant Superintendent Mam Berry Touray, an information technology specialist with the Gambia Police Force’s IT Unit at its headquarters in Banjul.

ASP Touray told the court he holds both a bachelor’s degree in computer science and a master’s degree from the University of Science and Technology in Casablanca, Morocco. His background in digital forensics and video retrieval is expected to play a central role in the prosecution’s case, which relies heavily on footage circulated on social media.

ASP Touray testified that in June, a superior officer directed him to retrieve video footage from Facebook related to the case.

The matter was adjourned to August 10 and 11, with proceedings scheduled to resume from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on both days to allow for continued testimony.