Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – Five young activists affiliated with the Gambia Against Looted Assets (GALA) have been granted bail after appearing before Principal Magistrate Isatou Sallah Mbye at the Kanifing Magistrate Court on Tuesday.

The activists – Kemo Fatty of Bakoteh, Alieu Bah of Brusubi, Mamamdou Camara of Jambanjelly, Omar Saibo Camara, the Public Relations Officer of GALA, and Bakary Tamba, a journalist – were arrested on Monday at the premises of the National Audit Office in Kanifing. They face charges of unlawful assembly and common nuisance.

According to the police, the arrests stemmed from a gathering at the National Audit Office, where GALA’s spokesperson allegedly attempted to conduct a press interview using what the police call “disparaging language” and incited colleagues to demand the release of two other individuals arrested earlier in connection with the same issue.

As a result of the incident, the Gambia Police Force publicly warned GALA over controversial social media posts threatening three consecutive days of protests over what the group says are national accountability and governance failures.

Police had acknowledged receiving permit requests from GALA under short notice, stressing that demonstrations without proper authorization could pose security risks.

The arrests and subsequent bail highlight mounting tensions between the authorities and GALA, which has been increasingly vocal in demanding transparency from public institutions, including the National Audit Office. The group’s recent activities have drawn both public sympathy and criticism, with supporters describing their actions as legitimate civic engagement while officials accuse them of flouting legal procedures.

The five accused are expected to return to court later this month as the case proceeds.