The seven remanded journalists who have been arrested, detained and charged before the Kanifing Magistrates' Court were initially granted bail on the 18th of June 2009. They were to appear before the said court on the 7th of July 2009 to take their plea.

But before the 7th of July, the state interestingly enough filed another case at the High Court in Banjul containing three original counts that were before the Magistrates' Court plus two new counts.

What is however interesting in the whole scenario is that the state prosecutors did not withdraw their case before the Magistrates' Court before filing another case with the same counts before the High Court.

This is the argument of the counsel for the defense that the correct procedure in law is for the prosecution to withdraw their original case and then file a new one at the High Court but not the other way round.

The prosecution however was of the view that even though the case has been filed at the Magistrates' Court, the case has not actually commenced because the accused persons did not take their plea.

Counsel for the defense however argued that the case has indeed taken off because the seven journalists were in fact granted bail by the original court which bail extends up to Tuesday July 7th 2009.

Now, after these points were argued before the trial judge of the High Court on the 3rd of July, the trial judge ruled that this verbal argument or application was taking the time of the court. He therefore ruled that the counsel for the defense makes a written application on all what he had stated before him and the prosecutor to make his response also in writing and he would give his ruling on it. Interestingly enough, he ruled that the seven accused journalists who were already granted bail till the 7th July would be remanded in custody pending the application by their lawyer. This is how matters stand at the moment.

FOROYAA observes that the trial of the seven journalists is taking an unprecedented turn of events and all eyes are on the judiciary to see that justice is not only done but is seen to be done. The paper will monitor the trial very closely and objectively and inform the people accordingly and hopes that justice will be dispensed accordingly.

Meanwhile, the solidarity messages that are being sent to FOROYAA are overwhelming both nationally and internationally. The Amnesty International has called for a halt to the trial and according to our information; protests have begun in the Gambian High Commissions in London and in Senegal. The NUJ, Trade Union Congress, The New York based Committee for the protection of journalists, the Accra based Media Foundation (MFWA) and a host of others have all sent solidarity messages to FOROYAA.

FOROYAA would also add its voice and concern by reminding the 3rd arm of the state to dispense justice without fear or favour, affection or ill-will as the law requires.