The seven journalists that were arrested by the NIA and remanded in custody by the Kanifing Magistrate court presided by  Sainabou Wadda Ceesay which case was adjourned to the 7th July 2, 2009 has now been transferred to the High Court in Banjul, sources told this reporter.

The seven journalists are charged with one count of conspiracy to publish seditions publication, two counts of publishing seditions publication, one count of conspiracy to commit criminal defamation and one count of criminal defamation.

The seven journalists namely Ebrima Sawaneh News editor of The Point, Pap Saine Editor of The Point, Sarata Jabbi Dibba GPU Vice President, Pa Modou Faal GPU Treasurer, Abubacarr Saidykhan of the Foroyaa, Sam Sarr Managing Editor of Foroyaa and Emil Touray Secretary General of GPU, were recently arraigned before the Senior Magistrate, Sainabou Wadda-Ceesay at the Kanifing Magistrate on the 22nd day of June 2009 for the second sitting of the trial..

Reliable information reaching this reporter said that the seven journalists were all informed on the 1st of July 2009 and served with the two other counts on top of the first three; that their case has now been transferred to the High Court of the Gambia, on Friday the 3rd of July 2009 at about 9:00am. Further information confirms that Justice Wowo shall preside over the said case. Ebrima Sawaneh, Sarata Jabbi-Dibba, Pa Modou Faal, Abubacarr Saidykhan and Emil Touray will be represented by two defence counsels Lamin Camara and Antouman Gaye, while Pap Saine will be represented by defence counsels Edrissa S. Sissoho and Assan Martins as the second accused person. All indications showed that Mr. Sam Sarr will
be defending himself in court.

Many people wondered why the state transferred the case to the High court. Some said they are moving the case from Kanifing to avoid the resurgence of the large turn out of people that crowd culminating to security problem at the court premises. Others do not trust Joseph Wowo, the judge to preside over the case. It is expected that the accused journalists will take their plea of not guilty on Friday before the High Court.

By Solo, Banjul Correspondent