The attorney who defended the US-based Gambian journalist Fatou Jaw Manneh in a protracted sedition trial in 2008, has been appointed a high court judge.

According to sources close to the Justice department, criminal defence attorney Lamin Jobarteh has been appointed a high court Justice, replacing Joseph Wowo, who has also been promoted to the position of a Court of Appeals Justice.

Jobarteh, a former police officer who led the prosecution division of the Gambian police force, was the attorney defending Journalist Fatou Jaw Manneh when she was charged with publishing four counts of seditious material on the internet. He however lost the battle to free the journalist - Jaw Manneh was 'convicted' and sentenced to four years in prison, or a fine of US$12,000. The fine was paid by Jaw Manneh's family and the Gambia Press Union.

Jobarteh was also the defence attorney in the treason trial of Captain Wassa Camara, Demba Dem, Tamsir Jassey, Abdoulie Jobe and others accused of involvement in the failed 2006 coup attempt. And although Demba Dem, the lone parliamentarian among the accused persons, was later acquitted, his co-defendants were handed lengthy jail terms, including a life sentence for Wassa Camara.

Last year Mr Jobarteh was credited by president Jammeh's government for financing the construction of a police station in his hometown of Bansang. The police station was inaugurated by president Yahya Jammeh during his nation-wide tour. The president praised Mr Jobarteh for his hard work. 

Mr Jobarteh has not yet been sworn-in to assume duties.