The criminal trial of six journalists charged with conspiracy to publish seditious publication, and criminal defamation, among others, continued yesterday before Justice Emmanuel Fagbenle of the High Court in Banjul.

The six journalists are Ebrima Sawaneh, Pap Saine, Sarata Jabbi-Dibba, Pa Modou Faal, Sam Sarr and Bai Emil Touray. At yesterday's sitting, DPP Chenge continued his cross examination of the 1st accused, Ebrima Sawaneh. Sarata Jarjue-Dibba, the vice president of the Gambian Press Union, then testified and informed the court that after the  statements which were responsible for their trial were published in both The Point and Foroyaa newspapers, she received a phone call from one Ebrima Drammeh who told her that she was needed at the NIA headquarters for clarification of the publication.

Jabbi-Dibba said that upon her arrival at the NIA headquarters, she was taken to Ebrima Drammeh's office and later to the conference room, where she was shown the alleged article in the newspapers and was asked to explain the reason behind the publication. Lawyer Camara, the lead defense counsel, then asked her if the name of the president of the Republic of The Gambia was mentioned anywhere in the alleged statement. She replied in the negative. At this juncture, she was asked to read the said article. She was also asked if the article, in her opinion, means that the president had a hand in the death of Deyda Hydara. She replied in negative. The accused also said she did not at anytime intend to defame the president and did not conspire with any one to publish any seditious material.

During cross examination by the DPP, the accused denied ever calling a meeting of the GPU members or the executive, but disclosed that she only discussed with the GPU secretary general, Bai Emil Touray, about the article. "What are your reasons why the article should not be published?" the DPP asked. "I don't know," she replied "I am putting it to you that you know that the article is seditious," the DPP asserted. Meanwhile, the case was adjourned to today after Pa Modou Faal and Bai Emil Touray testified.