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| toubab1020 |
Posted - 06 Sep 2018 : 12:44:54
Thankfully NO VIOLENCE by ANYONE is reported in this unconfirmed article.
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"Our source said that the prison was so full as a result of backlog of cases at the courts."
Me point the finger as to who could have stopped this happening if they were more efficient and less verbose ? Would I do such a thing !
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Wednesday, September 05, 2018
An unconfirmed number of prisoners who are currently under detention at the remand wing of the Mile II Central Prison in Banjul were reported to have held hostage some guards in demand to speak with either the director of Prison or the Interior minister.
A source that is familiar with the matter and wished to remain anonymous said the prisoners were demanding to meet either the minister of the Interior or the director general of The Gambia Prison Services (GPS).
According to our source, the incident happens on Monday when the prison guards on their routine checking opened the door where the prisoners were kept. The door-open was part of their daily duties, according to our source.
“The prisoners decided to hold them hostage and demanded to speak to Interior minister or the director general of the GPS.”
It is not clear as to what the prisoners wanted to tell the Interior minister or the DG of the GPS. However, our source stated that the remand wing was full to the brim which many believed could have triggered the prisoners to hold the officers hostage and demanded to speak to their superiors.
Our source said that the prison was so full as a result of backlog of cases at the courts.
Our reporter has been informed that personnel of the Police Intervention Unit (PIU) were called to reinforce the prison services officers.
The spokesperson of the GPS, Momodou Lamin Ceesay, said he was not yet aware of the incident, claiming that he was not at work but promised to call back.
The DG of the GPS was also contacted for comments but could not be reached.
It could be recalled that last month about 24 prisoners escaped from the Jeshwang Prison. However, the newly established Anti-Crime Unit of The Gambia Police Force has arrested many of them. Notwithstanding, some of them are still at large. Some prison officers were also arrested in connection with the matter.
Author: Momodou Jawo
http://thepoint.gm/africa/gambia/article/prisoners-hold-guards-hostage-at-mile-ii |
| 8 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| toubab1020 |
Posted - 19 Oct 2018 : 16:12:45
Of course a Coroners inquest should be held AND THE PUBLIC ADMITTED .
But bear in mind that options MAY be limited due to the fact that there is MUCH TO CONSIDER because Gambia is A DEVELOPING COUNTRY.
Difficult complex decisions have to be made and actioned by the Barrow administration.
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October 18, 2018
The Chief Justice Hassan B. Jallow, acting pursuant to the Coroners Act, has designated Mr. Malafi Jarju, First Class Magistrate in Banjul, as Coroner to inquire into the death of Mr. Louis Gomez, according to a press release issued by the Office of the Chief Justice.
The Late Mr. Gomez is reported to have died on 11 October 2018, at the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital in Banjul, whilst detained on remand at the Mile 2 Central Prisons.
The release revealed that the Coroner will be conducting the Inquiry at the premises of the Banjul Magistrates Court.
Mr. Gomez was a former Deputy Director General of the National Intelligence Agency. He was on trial with seven other accused persons charged with concealing the murder of Solo Sandeng in April 2016. He and his fellow co-accused were denied bail earlier this year and he died while he was remanded in custody.
http://foroyaa.gm/coroners-inquest-on-louis-gomezs-death-set-up/
RELATED:
http://www.gambia.dk/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=16107 |
| toubab1020 |
Posted - 17 Oct 2018 : 18:27:16
Wednesday, October 17, 2018
The director general of The Gambia Prison Services, Ansumana Manneh, has finally appeared yesterday before the High Court presided over by Justice Kumba Sillah-Camara to explain why eight former officials of the defunct NIA now SIS were placed under solitary confinement by the prison authorities.
However, DG Ansumana Manneh denied that the accused persons were placed in solitary confinement but were rather moved to the security wing at the Mile Two Prisons. He stated that the accused persons were taking to the security wing not as a punishment but as a way of controlling the inmates.
Eight former officials of the defunct NIA are Yankuba Badjie, Louie Leese Richard Gomez, Sheikh Omar Jeng, Babucarr Sallah, Haruna Susso, Tamba Mansaray, Lamin Darboe and Lamin Lang Sanyang and are standing trial on a 26 counts including conspiracy to murder, alleged murder of Ebrima Solo Sandeng, the late UDP youth activist, assault causing grievous bodily harm, making false document without proper authority amongst others.
The prosecution led by veteran lawyer Antouman A.B. Gaye had called about 22 witnesses and tendered several exhibits since the trial started last year but the first litmus test for the prosecution came in July when the defence objected to the admissibility of the cautionary and voluntary statement of Yankuba Badjie on the grounds that the said statements were not obtained voluntarily.
The court then adjourned the matter to October for a mini trial to be conducted to ascertain the voluntariness of the said statements of Yankuba Badjie.
On the 9th of October, the defence counsels complained to the court that their clients were been subjected to inhuman treatment by placing them in solitary confinement.
Lawyer Ibrahim Jallow, defence counsel for Sheikh Omar Jeng informed the court that his client was admitted at the EFSTH in Banjul and was suffering from several ailments associated with pains which as a result of the solitary confinement.
Sgt. Aifulsainey Gibba of the Prison Service told the court that the accused persons were moved from the remand wing as a result of the incident that happened at the Remand Wing early last month.
Justice Kumba Sillah-Camara then ordered for the DG of Prisons to appear before the court to explain why the accused persons were placed in solitary confinement.
On the 10th October, Supt. Momodou Lamin Ceesay appeared before the court to inform the court that the DG of Prisons was indisposed and couldn’t come to court and as he tried to explain the reasons for moving the accused persons to solitary confinement, but the presiding judge stated that she would not listen to him as he was not the proper person to talk to the court.
Justice Kumba Sillah-Camara informed the court that she was giving the DG of Prisons another chance to appear before the court and the matter was adjourned to the yesterday, 16th of October for the DG to appear before the court and explain why the accused persons were placed on solitary confinement.
At the resumption of yesterday sittings, after the matter was called, the lead prosecution counsel, Antouman A.B. Gaye informed the court that DG of Prison was in court; subject to the court order for his appearance.
The DG narrated the alleged incident of holding some of the Prison Officials hostage and pointed out that a panel was set up and the report of the investigation was not ready.
The DG revealed that according to reports, it was learnt that Yankuba Badjie, the 1st accused person was named as being behind the showdown.
When asked of the where about of Louie Richard Leese Gomez, the second accused person, the DG told the court that he sent a letter to the Ministry of Interior and the Master of the High Court.
Lead Counsel for the prosecution chipped in and suggested that the court conduct a proper proceeding as to the where about of the 2nd accused person.
Defence Counsel C.E. Mene submitted that the information the DG Prison gave to the court that the accused persons were moved to the security wing and not been placed in solitary confinement was inaccurate.
Mene argued that keeping the accused persons in solitary confinement is a punitive measure and to say that because one of the accused person was involved and to punish the others was a gross violation of their fundamental rights.
Mene further submitted that to subject them to solitary confinement for over one month and six days until the court had to make an order for them to be returned to the remand wing is tantamount to violating their rights.
On his part, Lawyer B. Gomez, the defence counsel for the 2nd accused, Louie Richard Leese Gomez, said the complaint that the accused persons were placed on solitary confinement is a violation of their rights.
He, however, informed the court that his client, Louie Richard Leese Gomez passed away in custody.
Lawyer Gomez argued that the accused persons can provide accurate information, noting that they were all placed in separate solitary confinement.
Lawyer Ibrahim Jallow, defence counsel for the 3rd accused person, Sheikh Omar Jeng submitted that the action of the DG of Prisons in moving the accused persons on solitary confinement was a gross violation of the their rights.
“Where is the rule of law that the New Gambia is shouting about,” he queried.
He pointed that the DG does not have the discretion to violate the fundamental right of the accused persons.
He revealed that his client has been in and out of the hospital as a result of the treatment meted on him, noting that his client is a high-blood-patient and was recently diagnosed with pneumonia.
He stated that the accused persons are kept at Mile Two Prison for their safety but not to be exposed to danger.
Lawyer S. Fatty , the defence counsel for Babucarr Sallah, Tamba Mansaray and Lamin Darboe told the court that the DG’s action was discriminatory, disobedient to the court and a punitive measure and noted that his clients shouldn’t have been placed on solitary confinement.
Lawyer Uzoma Achigbue, the defence counsel for Haruna Susso submitted that the previous defence lawyers have articulated the instructions of the accused persons.
He commended the court for judicial consideration, noting that they recognised the prompt intervention by the court.
He informed the court that he had received a further reprisal, noting that his client had been stripped of all privileges including visitation by members of his family and as for him as the counsel, it has become very difficult to conveniently perform his function.
Lawyer Uzoma submitted that all the parties in the case recognised the basic principles of why they are on trial; that they remain innocent until proven guilty and therefore urged the court to bring this basic principle to the attention of the prison authorities.
For lawyer Dago S. Dayo, the defence counsel for the 8th accused person; Lamin Lang Sanyang, told the court that until all the facts are known, before the court will come to an informed decision.
Antounman A.B. Gaye, the lead prosecutor submitted that the DG of Prisons had stated that he was waiting for the report and urged the court to wait for the report of the investigations into September 3rd Prison Hostage before the court can make an informed decision.
In her ruling, presiding judge, Kumba Sillah-Camara cited the statements made by Sgt. Aifusainey Gibba, S.P. Ceesay and the statement of the Prison DG, Ansumana Manneh.
She reiterated the provisions of Section 24 of the 1997 Constitution on the right of the accused persons and the presumption of innocent until proven guilty.
Justice Camara implored the DG to inform the court of any development regarding the accused persons in Mile Two.
She ordered that all the rights of the accused person be respected and restored, and as for the report, she said will be made available to the court as soon as it is ready.
She stated that the court will not tolerate any violation of the accused persons’ rights, noting that the court will revisit the issue of the solitary confinement after receiving the report.
Hearing continues on the 22nd of October, 2018 for mention.
http://thepoint.gm/africa/gambia/article/prisons-dg-denies-placing-yankuba-badgie-others-in-solitary-confinement |
| toubab1020 |
Posted - 12 Oct 2018 : 09:54:08
"The order was for the Director to appear and not you........" The prison director general Ansumana Manneh appears unable to take responsibility for his actions and shows great disrespect to The Court and the rule of law and directs an unfortunate minion to appear on his behalf much to the displeasure of the judge.
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By Yankuba Jallow October 11, 2018
Justice Kumba Sillah-Camara of the Banjul High Court has ordered for the authorities at the Gambia Prison Services to return all the former senior intelligence chiefs of the NIA to the Remand Wing of Mile II Prisons.
This came about when Lawyer Christopher E. Mene, the lawyer for Yankuba Badjie, the former Director General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), told the court on Tuesday that, his client alongside other accused persons were moved from the Remand Wing and moved to dark cells at the solitary confinement at the Security Wing of Mile II Prisons.
The Court then summoned the Director General of Prisons to appear and explain the reasons for moving the accused persons to the Security Wing.
Appearing for the Director General of Prisons was Superintendent Momodou Lamin Ceesay who told the High Court that the director was indisposed.
Reacting to this, Justice Sillah-Camara told him that the summons was for the Director General to appear.
“The order was for the Director to appear and not you. You are not his counsel to represent or appear on his behalf,” the court told Ceesay.
Ceesay indicated that a staff of the Prison Services had a funeral which the Director General attended and that was the reason why he was delegated to come and represent him before the court.
“I want him to appear personally to come to explain to the court the reasons why he moved the accused persons from the Remand Wing. I am not going to listen to you because he should have been here to explain. He could have delegated you to represent him at the funeral whilst he comes to the court. I am not convinced with your excuse so I am going to make my order now,” the court told Ceesay.
The Court made an order that all the accused persons to be taken back to the Remand Wing and gave the Director General of Prisons another chance to appear.
“I am ordering with immediate effect that the accused persons be moved from the Security Wing and taken back to the Remand Wing. For the Director, I am giving him another chance of appearance. He should appear before the court on Tuesday 16 October, at 1 pm to explain to us why the accused persons were moved from the Remand Wing,” Justice Sillah ordered.
The accused persons are Yankuba Badjie, the former Director General of NIA, Louis Gomez, the former Deputy Director General of NIA, Sheikh Omar Jeng, the former Director of Operation, Baboucar Sallah, Haruna Suso, Tamba Mansireh, Lamin Darboe and Lamin Lang Sanyang.
The nine are standing trial on numerous offences ranging from conspiracy to commit felony, assault causing serious bodily harm, murder and making false documents amongst others. However, they all denied any wrongdoing.
http://foroyaa.gm/nia-9-case-court-orders-accused-persons-to-be-returned-to-remand-wing/ |
| toubab1020 |
Posted - 18 Sep 2018 : 13:43:09
"Most of them have taken lawyers, and according to sources, in most circumstances, when these cases are called upon, their lawyers are not present and this is another factor that derails the process.”
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Tuesday, September 18, 2018
President Adama Barrow’s National Security Adviser, Retired Colonel Momodou Badjie, has said that some of the complains made by prisoners at the remand wing of the Mile II prison during the protest were genuine.
Badjie who was part of a team negotiating the recent protest at the central prison said. “When we have our debrief, we have certain assurance given from both sides. We should also be aware that government has its own way and government has to ensure that there is security, peace and stability.”
Retire Colonel Badjie was responding to questions posed to him by journalists at a press conference held at State House in Banjul over allegation that some remand wing prisoners were tortured, while others were taken to confinement cells.
According to him, he was not aware of that. “However, I will find out and use the appropriate channel and look into to the matter,” he told journalists.
Commenting on their complains, the security adviser stated that they found that it was really genuine and then the Attorney General Office which was represented by the solicitor general took copious notes and gave lots of assurance their cases that are genuine will be looked into.
“Nonetheless, I think the blame was also caution to other areas and other factors, which, one of them is their own lawyers. Most of them have taken lawyers, and according to sources, in most circumstances, when these cases are called upon, their lawyers are not present and this is another factor that derails the process.”
He said as a government, they are concern about the matter for the fact that they don’t want any instability in the country. Therefore, appropriate action is always taken.
Author: Momodou Jawo
http://thepoint.gm/africa/gambia/article/prisoners-complains-are-genuine-security-adviser |
| toubab1020 |
Posted - 16 Sep 2018 : 11:31:23
September 14, 2018
The former Chief of the National Intelligence Agency Yankuba Badjie and seven other senior agents who were remanded by the High Court, have been transferred to confinement cells at the Mile Two Prisons, since September 4 2018, security sources can confirm.
This move came after they were allegedly accused for influencing some of the prisoners to protest. However according to sources, they have denied any wrongdoing or engagement, in such activity.
Sources said there are many remand prisoners held for years without re-appearing in a Court of Law in violation of their Human Rights. According to sources, this resulted for them to lock themselves in with six prison Wardens, in protest.
Sources revealed that the alleged protest was spearheaded by Muhammed Jaw, Ansu Jarju, Ousman Sonko and Bo Badjie, who demanded to meet the Justice Minister, the Director General of Prisons and the Press.
“The main gate keys of the Remand Wing and eleven cell keys were controlled by the alleged ring leaders, preventing the prison Wardens on duty, from going home until their demands were met,’’ sources said.
The following day, according to sources, the former NIA Director General Yankuba Badjie and co accused agents, were immediately moved to confinement cells.
“The prison authorities are suppressing our welfare, regardless of the Court order that remanded us. Some prisoners receive inhumane treatment in the prisons,’’ a serving intelligence agent told this reporter.
“We want the human rights groups and international organisations to come to the prisons for fact finding” sources said.
Sources added that a delegation from the Government in the persons of the National Security Adviser, Solicitor General, Deputy Permanent Secretary of Interior and Minister and the Director General of Prisons, held talks with the remanded protesters, to resolve the matter.
The Prisons Spokesperson Modou Lamin Ceesay, denied the torture allegations but confirmed the transfer of former NIA Chief Badjie and his associates to Confinement cells; that the authorities have acted within the Laws of the prison. “It’s for security reasons. That is why we have to move them before anything bad happens to them and the blame comes back to us,’’ he said.
“As far as security officers are remanded by the Court, we have the rights to take them to confinement or any place in the prisons, for their safety and security,” he said.
http://foroyaa.gm/top-ex-spy-chief-co-intelligence-officers-moved/ |
| toubab1020 |
Posted - 14 Sep 2018 : 23:14:27
Mamma Kandeh, certainly rocked the boat and caused ACTION to be taken by the responsible Ministries ,Well done Mamma Kandeh.
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By Tabora Bojang September 14, 2018
The hostage crisis involving disgruntled prisoners at the remand wing of the state central prison has been ‘amicably resolved’ after the intervention of concerned authorities including justice, and Interior ministries as well as senior prison authorities.
Reports said an unconfirmed number of inmates overpowered and held guards hostage before demanding to speak to either the Interior minister or the director of prisons.
Our source said the inmates demanded among other things speedy trials of pending cases and granting them their rights as prisoners of the state.
They raised concerns over congestion of the wing, poor quality food, and harassment of visitors.
“A prisons inter-ministerial committee, which includes representatives of several government agencies was set up and empowered to look into the issue and investigate all complaints, including those concerning sub-standard conditions, medical care, slow rate of court cases and prison diets amongst others,” the source outlined.
According to him, the overcrowding was principally caused by the backlog of cases at the courts and resulting in the undue incarceration as the detainees await trial.
“A meeting involving the solicitor general and legal secretary, the director of prisons, senior Interior officials and others was convened between the authorities and inmates at which a consensus was reached as to how best the matter should be addressed and it has been positively resolved to the contentment of the inmates,” our source added.
The Standard visited the prisons but the public relations officer was unavailable for immediate comment on the matter.
http://standard.gm/site/2018/09/14/prisons-crisis-resolved/
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| toubab1020 |
Posted - 10 Sep 2018 : 20:05:49
Well.......Mamma Kandeh ,was refused access to those people on remand ,Why ? he "was asked to write a letter to the minister of the Interior before allowing him access to the prison." Mamma Kandeh is "the party leader of the opposition" and I assume that as such he is a member of the National assembly,as such a respected person,surely the easiest way out of this bureaucratic logjam was for the governor of Mile 11 to TELEPHONE the minister and obtain permission to enter the remand wing and speak to the men there about their grievances ,at least Mamma Kandeh tried his best.However in the light of the loss of memory and confusion in the Janneh Commission of inquiry sometimes things got mixed up because there was NO DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE available,the action of the admin department is understandable.
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Monday, September 10, 2018
An authority that wished to remain anonymity said, Mamma Kandeh, the party leader of the opposition Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC) did not visit Mile II Central Prison in Banjul. He only visited the prison admin and was asked to write a letter to the minister of the Interior before allowing him access to the prison.
“Mamma Kandeh only visit the prison administration in Banjul. He was however asked to write a letter to the minister of the Interior before allowing him to visit inmates at the prison.”
On Thursday, Mr. Kandeh the GDC leader, with his party executive visited the prison administration in Banjul with a view to get first hand information on the condition of the prisoners. However, to visit the prison itself, he was instead asked to write a formal request.
Author: Momodou Jawo
http://thepoint.gm/africa/gambia/article/kandeh-only-visits-prison-admin |
| toubab1020 |
Posted - 07 Sep 2018 : 15:53:12
Friday, September 07, 2018
The leader of the opposition Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC), Mamma Kandeh, on Thursday morning visited the Mile II Central Prison in Banjul.
The Party Youth Mobiliser, MC Cham, said the visit of the GDC leader was to see for him and get first hand information on the prison conditions and the alleged situation of the prisoners.
Kandeh, he added, was received with open arms and was given a warm welcome by the prison administration. However, he was asked to officially write to the minister of the Interior to request permission to visit the prisoners.
“The GDC leader made this move in order to assess the prison conditions and hear from the inmates with a view to know their problems and needs.”
Cham told our reporter that Kandeh intends to engage the government to speedy its prison reforms and improve on the conditions of the inmates.
Source: Picture: Mamma Kandeh, GDC Leader
http://thepoint.gm/africa/gambia/article/mamma-kandeh-visits-mile-ii |
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