Katim Touray, popularly Kknown as Kartel, has been remanded at Mile 2 Central Prison after appearing before the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court on charges linked to the alleged nonconsensual sharing of an intimate video of a young woman on social media.
Touray was arraigned before Principal Magistrate Sallah Mbye on Wednesday and charged with publication of obscene material in electronic form and trafficking in obscene publications.
According to the prosecution, Touray and a co-accused, Kaddijatou Bah, who is currently at large, allegedly shared a nude video of Awa Ndow through WhatsApp and TikTok without her consent.
Prosecutors told the court that the video was circulated to several individuals in a manner intended to damage the complainant’s reputation.
The first charge alleges a violation of Section 170(1) of the Information and Communication Act, while the second relates to alleged trafficking in obscene publications under the Criminal Offences Act 2025.
Touray pleaded not guilty to both counts. Representing the prosecution, DSP Y.S. Colley opposed the accused’s release, arguing that he posed a flight risk because he is based in Italy and was only visiting The Gambia for the Tobaski festivities.
The prosecution further told the court that Touray possessed Italian residency documents and could leave the country before trial.
Defence counsel L.M. Drammeh applied for bail, arguing that the offences were bailable. Principal Magistrate Mbye subsequently granted bail in the sum of D500,000 with two Gambian sureties.
The court also ordered Touray to surrender his Gambian National ID card, passport, Italian residency permit and any other travel documents.
The documents are to be verified by the court before being deposited with the registrar. In addition, the magistrate directed that telephone numbers submitted by the sureties be verified through mobile network operators to confirm their authenticity.
However, Touray was unable to satisfy the bail conditions before the close of business and was consequently remanded at Mile 2 Central Prison pending compliance with the court’s order.
The case has been adjourned to 24 June for the testimony of the prosecution’s first witness. Kaddijatou Bah, named as a coaccused in the matter, remains at large.
The allegations remain before the court, and Touray has denied all charges.
