Story by: Sainabou Sambou and Photography by: Mamadou S. Gagigo
The trial of 23 youths charged with unlawful assembly at the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) premises commenced today before Magistrate Thomas Touray at the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court. The prosecution opened its case, calling Chief Inspector Alasan E. Bah of the Police Intervention Unit (PIU) as the first witness in a case that has drawn attention to tensions surrounding public demonstrations and regulatory oversight.
The group was arrested on August 22, 2025, following a protest at PURA’s headquarters, allegedly in response to the authority’s price floor policies. The prosecution, led by Inspector Baba Jallow, alleges the assembly was unlawful, citing the group’s failure to obtain a permit. The defendants, represented by defense counsel J. Darboe, maintain they were exercising their right to peaceful protest.
Chief Inspector Bah testified that he was stationed at Kanifing Police Headquarters when he received orders from Superintendent Lamin B. Sarr to respond to a disturbance at PURA. “I received a communication from my superior that an unlawful assembly was taking place,” Bah told the court. Upon arriving at the scene, he observed a large group holding banners and shouting. According to Bah, Superintendent Sarr addressed the crowd, informing them their gathering was unlawful and ordering them to disperse. When the group insisted their assembly was lawful and refused to leave, Sarr directed their arrest. “Some were taken immediately to Kairaba Police Station,” Bah stated, confirming he recognized the accused in court.
During a pointed cross-examination, defense counsel Lamin J. Darboe challenged Bah’s understanding of the situation. Asked whether he was comfortable arresting citizens who “said nothing or did nothing,” Bah replied, “I can’t assert that. As a police officer, I was doing my job because they were unlawfully assembled.”
Pressed on the definition of “unlawful assembly,” Bah explained, “It’s when people gather without giving a permit, that’s my understanding.” He acknowledged that Sarr had warned the group to leave before arrests were made.
Darboe also probed Bah’s knowledge of PURA’s role, to which the officer admitted limited familiarity, stating, “I know they regulate GSM operations and related affairs.” This exchange highlighted potential gaps in the officer’s understanding of the institution at the center of the protest, which the defense may leverage in future hearings.
The case has sparked debate over the balance between public order and the right to protest, particularly in relation to PURA’s controversial price floor regulations, which critics argue burden consumers. The defendants, all youths, have become a focal point for advocates of free expression, who view the arrests as an overreach of police authority.
Magistrate Touray adjourned the hearing to October 7, 2025, at 12:30 PM, when the prosecution is expected to call additional witnesses.
