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Gambia News: Detention Without Trial Update

Barely days to the New Year, detention without trial still seems to be a phenomenon characterizing the APRC regime.

The names of people listed below are still in detention. The state is yet to prefer charges against most of them. The authorities are yet to advance any reasons for their arrests and continuous detention. Chief Ebrima Manneh, a senior journalist with the Daily Observer newspaper, was said to be arrested by security officers on 7 July, 2006, at his office in Bakau Since then, his whereabouts has been unknown. A suit was filed at the Community Court of Justice of West Africa against The Gambia Government for the release of Chief Ebrima Manneh. The judgment of the Community Court is expected at the end of January 2008.

Momodou Lamin Nyassi, a former chief of Foni Kansala, Buba Sanyang and Ndongo Mboob, all APRC bigwigs and residents of Bwiam, were arrested by plain clothes officers at Bwiam in the month of April 2006. Family sources lamented the vain efforts they had made to locate the whereabouts of the trio since they were arrested.

Haruna Jammeh, Macie Jammeh, all residents of Kanilai and Jisaja Kujabie, a stalwart of the APRC in Foni and a resident of Dobong village, were all arrested in 2005, noted family sources. Family sources, however, called on the relevant authorities to release them.

Yahya Bajinka, an NIA operative, was also said to be arrested in Brikama in April 2006 by his NIA colleagues. He is reported to be incarcerated at the Maximum Security Wing of the State Central (Mile II) Prisons for more than seven months without his family having access to him. He was said to be spotted at RVTH on 22 November, but the authorities denied having him in their custody.

Alfusainey Jammeh, a prison warden and native of Kanilai, was also said to be arrested in October 2004. Since his arrest he has been detained at the State Central Prison. Family sources urged the authorities to release him or take him to court.

Mr. Abdoulie Njie, a civilian arrested shortly after the March 21abortive coup plot, is still in detention. Family sources lamented the failure of the authorities to arraign him before a court of law. Mr. Njie is said to be detained at the state central prison at mile two.

Abdoulie Kujabie, a former Director General of the National Intelligence Agency, and Phoday Barry, a former senior personnel of the Agency, are also reported to be detained at the Maximum Security Wing of the State Central Prison (Mile II).

Kanyiba Kanyi, a staff member of the Christian Children Fund (CCF), was arrested at his home village of Bonto by plain clothes officers since 18 September 2006. His exact location is still not known to his family. His lawyer filed a suit at the High Court for his release which was granted by the court but is yet to be honored by the state.

Sergeant Sam Kambai, of the Gambia National Army, is said to be detained at the State Central Prisons since 2006. He was recently spotted along side a group of alleged MFDC insurgents at the Kanifing and Banjul Magistrates Courts. Though, he was later charged with supplying military equipment to the insurgents, he has not been appearing in court since then.

Alieu Lowe, a resident of Faji Kunda, was also said to be arrested in connection to the 21 March 2006 failed coup. He is said to be detained at the State Central Prison.

Corporal Ebrima Joof, of the Gambia National Army, was in detention since 2006. The motive behind his arrest and detention is yet to be established.

Kebba Saidy, a National Intelligence Agency agent (NIA), is also said to be detained at the State Central Prison since early 2007.

Alexandra Gibba, a leading member and spokesperson of a faction of the MFDC, who was recently spotted at the Kanifing and Banjul Magistrates Courts with a group of alleged MFDC members, is said to have been detained without charge since 2006.