Journalist Chief Manneh Dies In Government Custody!!!

By Justice Sam and Karafa Badjie, Banjul

Banjul: 7/9/08-Daily Observer Reporter Ebrima Chief Manneh, has died in custody, reveals a spokesman of The Gambian Government. Mr. Manneh who died as a result of the torture he suffered from Government agents, was said to have died recently. The Gambian Government is reported to be concealing the demise of  Ebrima Chief Manneh from  his family and colleagues. Government sources confirmed to the Freedom Newspaper about Manneh’s demise. “ Chief Ebrima Manneh is dead. I can confirm this to you. He died from the hands of his torturers. The Government is aware of his death. Government does not want to talk about it, but this is the reality. He is dead.” Said an official of the State House in Banjul.

Ebrima Chief Manneh has been missing for over two years now. State House sources said the orders to torture and kill Chief Manneh came from the President Yahya Jammeh. “ The directives to kill chief Manneh came from the President. It’s unfortunate that this poor boy has died in custody. His family will never set their eyes on him again. He is gone for good. The President has given directives not to confirm his death, but I deem it imperative to disclose his death to the public. Chief Manneh  is dead.” Said the official.

Interior Ministry sources said Chief Manneh was briefly held at an undisclosed state prison, only to be transferred to the NIA for further interrogation. “ He was mercilessly tortured, which led to his subsequent demise. Very few people knew about his death. He is dead. His family should give up seeing their son again. The President gave orders for his killing.” Said our source.

According to sources, Chief Manneh was framed by some Daily Observer insiders, who accused him of wagging subversive activities against the Government of the day. “  Saja Taal was one of those who engineered the arrest of the late Chief Manneh. The President relied on a false briefing  to mastermind the killing of Chief Manneh. I want to confirm to the world and his family that Chief Manneh is dead. He is not alive.” Said the State House insider.

Attempts to solicit reaction from the Secretary of State For Information Fatim Badjie, proved abortive, as she was indisposed at press time. But Interior Ministry sources confirmed the demise Chief Manneh. " I confirm to you with heavy heart about the death of Ebrima Chief Manneh. He died under Government custody. The Government is not keen at coming out open with the Reporter's death, but he is dead. He died whilst in Government custody. SOS Sonko is aware of it. Chief Manneh is dead." said the  Interior Ministry official.