Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – A magistrate in The Gambia has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of Bemba Drammeh after he failed to appear in court to answer charges of seditious intent. The decision was made by Magistrate Mben Faal of the Kanifing Magistrates Court following an application by the police.

Drammeh, who had previously been granted bail, absconded the country and did not attend his scheduled court hearing. His absence was reported to the court by Commissioner A. Sanneh, who informed the magistrate that Drammeh was due to appear on January 16, 2025, but was discovered to have fled to France.

Drammeh first came into the spotlight after an interview with Kerr Fatou online television, where he alleged that the 2021 presidential election had been rigged. He further claimed that he, along with other prominent members of the ruling National People’s Party (NPP), had participated in the alleged electoral manipulation. During the interview, Drammeh suggested that he would reveal further details “at the right time.”

Following his comments, Drammeh was arrested, detained, and later released on police bail. However, after his release, he reportedly fled the country, prompting authorities to revoke his bail. As a consequence, his two sureties were taken to court, where each was required to pay a sum of one hundred thousand dalasis to secure their own release.

In response to Drammeh’s failure to appear in court, Magistrate Faal approved the police request for a bench warrant, ordering his arrest and subsequent appearance in court to face the charges against him.

It remains unclear whether Gambian authorities will seek Drammeh’s extradition from France.