Defense counsel Junkung Jobarteh on Tuesday launched a powerful counteroffensive in the high-stakes defamation case brought by Environment Minister Rohey John Manjang against investigative journalist Kebba Ansu Manneh of The Alkamba Times, filing three strategic motions to compel the minister to disclose critical facts under oath.
In a civil suit before the High Court in Banjul, Jobarteh, representing defendant Manneh, formally submitted Interrogatories for the Examination of the Plaintiff, Notice to Admit Facts, and a Notice of Motion seeking leave of the court for the above applications.
The motions were brought pursuant to Order XX Rule 1 and Order XXI Rule 2 of the Rules of the High Court, Sections 3(1) and 6A of the Courts Act, and the inherent jurisdiction of the court.
Plaintiff’s counsel, Modou Drameh, who was served with the trio of applications in court, requested time to review the documents and respond accordingly. The presiding judge adjourned the matter to allow the plaintiff’s side adequate preparation time.
The interrogatories contain 12 piercing questions that directly challenge key elements of Minister Manjang’s claim. Counsel Jobarteh demands that she precisely identify the words from the June 19, 2024, Alkamba Times publication and the subsequent King FM Radio interview that she says accused her of corruption, dishonesty, and being unfit for public office. Further questions probe her role in the alleged disposal of confiscated mahogany logs, the identity of any buyer she recommended, instructions given for their transportation and sale, and whether D40,000 was paid into the National Forestry Fund as she claims.
Crucially, the interrogatories require the minister to disclose all bank accounts she held or controlled between January and June 2024, and whether any sum of D150,000 or D200,000 linked to the logs transaction was credited to those accounts. She is also asked to clarify statements she allegedly made during a telephone interview with the journalist, including remarks such as “Maybe it’s true? I don’t know. Maybe it’s another Rohey John” and “it’s a blue lie.”
The Notice to Admit Facts lists 16 specific assertions the defense wants the plaintiff to formally admit, covering her official functions, involvement in the log transaction, the content of the publication, her right of reply, and the absence of any quantifiable financial loss or disciplinary action against her since the story broke.
In the supporting affidavit sworn by Sarjoe M. Darboe of Mansafing Law Practice, the defense argues that the interrogatories and notice to admit are necessary to narrow the issues, save court time, and address core disputes regarding the truth of the publication and its public interest value. The application is framed as serving both the defense of justification and the constitutional protection of press freedom under Sections 25 and 207 of the 1997 Constitution.
The defamation suit stems from The Alkamba Times’ investigative report accusing the minister and a former regional governor of involvement in the irregular sale of seized logs. Minister Manjang is demanding D50 million in damages, a public apology, retraction of the story, and a perpetual injunction against further publications.
Legal observers say Jobarteh’s aggressive procedural move significantly raises the stakes, potentially compelling the minister to take the witness stand and face rigorous cross-examination. The detailed interrogatories are seen as a direct attempt to test the strength of her claims of malice and substantial damages, including mental anguish.
The case has drawn wide attention because of its implications for media freedom and accountability of public officials in The Gambia. Proceedings are expected to resume on Monday, July 29, 2026, for the plaintiff to respond to the new applications.
Junkung Jobarteh’s latest filings demonstrate a robust and meticulous defense strategy aimed at vindicating his client’s reporting on a matter of significant public interest involving the management of the country’s natural resources.
