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Momodou
Denmark
11735 Posts |
 Posted - 07 May 2010 : 21:51:14
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“Release or Take Them To Court”
By Saikou Ceesay
Families Of Detainees Renew Calls For State To Release Their Loved Ones
"Release or take them to court" were the real words of the family members of Sillah-Ba Samateh and Nema Ceesay all detainees currently held at the state central Prison of Mile Two in the capital Banjul.
Going into two months of their detention, family members of the duo have revamped calls for the release of their loved ones. Families told The Daily News that their efforts to see them since their arrest did not bear any fruit. They said that they are not aware of any offense committed by their loved ones, thus calling on the authorities to release them on police bail or take them to court for them to be at ease.
As to how the detention of their family head affects their livelihood, family members of Nema Ceesay said he is the bread winner of the family and that the daily upkeep of the family solely rests on him.
"When he was here he was responsible for buying bags of rice, daily fish money and school launch for the children among other needs," family sources told this paper.
Ceesay is in his early 40s and is married with one wife and blessed with children. likewise Sillah-Ba Samateh.
It could be recalled that Kanyiba Kanyi, an employee of Christian Children Fund CCF was arrested on the 18 September 2006, and since then he has not been seen. Family source said he was picked up by three security agents at his home in Bonto village in Western region. After the legal representative Lawyer Ousainou Darboe filed a Habeas Corpus against the Director General of the National Intelligent Agency (NIA), Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Attorney General and Minister of Justice at the country’s High Court for his release in 2006, the court after long legal wrangling ordered the state to release him which has not yet happened.
Journalist Ebrima Chief Manneh, a senior reporter working with the Daily Observer Newspaper was arrested while at work has not been released since 2006.He was said to have been seen by one Foroyaa reporter Yaya Dampha with two officials of Amnesty International in 2007 at Sareh Ngai police station.
Private Alagie Saidykan, a Regimentary Guard attached at the Farafenni Military Camp was arrested on the 10 May 2009.Our sources indicated that he has been in detention at the Mile Two state central prison since his arrest.
Alfusainey Jammeh, a prison warden and a native of Kanilai village in Western region was apprehended since 2006 and has since not been seen.
According to media reports Mr. Jammeh was posted at the compound of the Director General of prison in Kanilai where he was arrested. Family members said Jammeh was called for questioning at the police headquarters in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Banjul</st1:place></st1:city> and never returned. While at the police Headquarters family members indicated that Jammeh gave them a phone call and informed them that he was in detention. Buba Sanyang, Momodou Lamin Nyassi and Ndongo Mboob all residents of Bwiam in Western region were arrested since 4th April 2006.Family members said since their arrests they did not hear anything regarding their whereabouts. These detainees according to family sources were apprehended on the same day by plain cloth security agents.
Two security agents were said to have arrested Jasarka Kujabi at his home village in Foni Dobong, Western Region in 2005.Family members said since 2005 they did not hear anything from him and did not know his whereabouts.
Marcie Jammeh a lady and Haruna Jammeh natives of Kanilai village were arrested in 2005 and since then their whereabouts have not been established.
According to family members Bakary Gassama, the former Financial Director of National Intelligence Agency (NIA) was arrested on the 13th May 2008.Gassama was said to have been in custody for four months before appearing in court on charges of official misconduct. In December 2008 the Magistrate’s court in Banjul discharged Mr.Gassama on the basis of lack of diligent prosecution.After the court ruling Gassama was rearrested and detained at the state central prison, Mile Two.
Two residents of Faji Kunda namely Abdoulie Njie and Alieu Lowe were said to be arrested by agents of the Gambia Army Forces after the 21st March 2006 abortive coup plot. Family sources said they are being detained at the state Central Prison, Mile Two.
Ebou Jarjue, a former Presidential Steward and a native of Darsilameh , Western Region was arrested on the 20th March 2008.He was said to have been detained at the police headquarters for ten months when he was released without any charges being brought against him. He was rearrested and Family members said he is detained at the Mile Two prison.
As we go to press the release of any of these detainees has not been made known to this paper.
Source: Dailynews
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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