Gambian rap musician and activist, Ali Cham alias Killa Ace has been charged by the police on Monday over his alleged involvement in a July protest that turned to riots over the death of a Sierra Leonean national.
Killa Ace was initially arrested on August 17, with at least nine others and detained for at least two nights. Though he was not charged initially, he was ordered to report to the police daily.
His spokesperson Mariama ‘Ace’ Bojang, told The Chronicle that he was charged with arson, unlawful assembly, willful damage of properties and prohibition of conduct conducive to breach of peace. Some of the ten men arrested with him are also said to have been charged by the police.
It’s not clear when they will appear in court.
The Police spokesperson ASP Lamin Njie told The Chronicle he could only comment on the issue Tuesday.
On July 24, what started as a protest to seek justice for the death of Ousman Darboe, descended into riots when angry protesters who accused the police anti-crime unit of having a hand in the death, blocked busy Senegambia-Turn Table highway and hurled bottles, stones and other objects at police. They also set car tyres on fire and sent plumes of black smoke into the sky. In response, armed police personnel fired tear gas at the protesters in their attempt to disperse them.
