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Momodou
Denmark
11828 Posts |
 Posted - 18 May 2006 : 01:50:48
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PAUL COMMISSION REPORT UNDER ATTACK
The Anti-Corruption Commission Report, otherwise called the Paul Commission Report on Wednesday 10th May 2006, came under serious attack by a Gambian Lawyer and former Attorney General and SoS for Justice, Pap Cheyasin Secka. Mr. Secka called the report malicious, excessive and bias. Making his submission at the High Court in Banjul, the former Attorney General and SoS for Justice told the court that the commission was a Presidential one set up by a legal notice in 2004. He said that the said legal notice spelt out the number of commissions, the number of witnesses to be called, the period to be convened by their investigation and finally their term, which was open to extension, if the commissioners made request for more time.
Mr. Secka opined that he had termed the report of the commission as bias, malicious excessive because first and foremost, the members of the commission were mandated by the legal not. He indicated that he was appointed AG, and SoS Justice from 30th March 2000 to January 2001. He then questioned how the commission could have the mandate to enquire about his assets and properties that were obtained during the period of his practice as a private citizen. Secondly, Mr. Secka indicated that 300 public officers were listed to have appeared before the commission but that finally only 135 witnesses were selected to appear before them. Lawyer Secka called the Commission of the 165 witnesses as bias.
Mr. Secka alleged that Justice Paul had gone to the extent of interfering with his internal family life. To prove this, Counsel Secka submitted that Justice Paul had on occasions invited his former wife and his eldest son and instigated them against him. He exhibited some documents to prove his assertions. He finally urged that the court should set aside the decision of the Commission as they were not done in good faith. In their response the State maintained that the actions of the Commission were in line with the law, while citing decree No.11 of 1994 and section 204 of the 1997 constitution.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 37/2006, 15-17 May, 2006
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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