Gambia ALERT: Police detains newspaper editor

Abdul Hamid Adiamoh, managing editor of privately-owned Today newspaper, was on June 20, 2012 detained by the Gambian Police on the orders of the Banjul Magistrates’ Court over an alleged contempt of court.

Media Foundation for West Africa’s (MFWA) sources reported that the arrest followed a complaint filed by Badou S.M. Conteh, defense counsel for a university lecturer standing trial for giving false information to a public officer.

The sources said the defense counsel accused the editor of misreporting a cross examination of a witness in his newspaper.

“Your worship, I apply for the arrest of Abdul Hamid Adiamoh to appear before this court to explain where he got the information he authored and published regarding my cross examination. He misconceived my cross examination and his report is out of context … I therefore apply for his arrest” the sources quoted Conteh.

Following the request, the court ruled that Adiamoh be brought before it on June 28, when the case will be recalled. However, the sources said Adiamoh was picked up on June 20 and it remains unclear if he will be released before then.

The sources said apart from Adiamoh, another arrest warrant has been issued on Lamin Njie, deputy editor of privately-owned Daily newspaper, to appear before another court for contempt of court.