Michael Scales Hails Justice Minister Saine For Her Competency!!!!

By Michael Scales, UK

Dear Mr. Editor,

Taking the  statement by The Attorney General and Minister of  Justice, at "face value" I cannot fail to conclude that Ms. Marie Firdause Saine, is indeed the type of Barrister at Law who is extremely capable and competent. I would go so far as to say, I have seen her kind many times before within the British Judicial system. Such a Barrister,  is a very formidable opponent indeed. I recall I wrote previously about her advanced legal conduct when she was confronted by His Excellency The British High Commissioner at The Corinthia Atlantic Hotel. On that day, His Excellency made it known that he had an interest in the in the Carnegie/Charles Northfield case and offered his view that Mr. Northfield was merely "A Scapegoat". At that meeting, the then Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr. Crispin Grey Johnson was making rash statements as to the guilt of Carnegie, indicating {rather recklessly} that Carnegie had been "stealing." Ms. M.F.Saine  at that point quickly closed down the meeting, as I believed she realized that to make such statements, made by such a High Profile Government employee, could be judged as prejudicial to the Plaintiffs case and to the Defendants right to a fair trial. It is recorded that His Excellency President Jammeh was reported in The Daily Observer making exactly the same allegations.

To examine her statement of the State’s position on Mr.Ebrima Chief Manneh, is in my opinion, a well considered one. She cites  that the family of Mr Manneh should under normal protocol, have first exhausted their cause through the avenue availed by the Constitution to have their grievance heard by The Gambia's Supreme Court. She alleges that in the case of this not being fruitful, the Plaintiffs {MFWA acting for and on behalf of the Manneh family} could then by established protocol have approached the independent ECOWAS court sitting in Abuja Nigeria. She further alludes to the "fact" that she has approached all the relevant Gambian authorities that could have been holding Mr.Manneh and states that all approached" to the best of their knowledge, information and belief,"  are not holding Mr.Manneh.She therefore goes further to say that the State is not happy with this decision by the court in Abuja and that they are taking the matter to a higher level...to get the Judgment set aside.

In the cause of her acting in good faith, I believe her statement is Judiciously worded and very carefully choreographed. Her position is therefore legally "safe".

However, there  are glaring omissions which do not assist the cause of the State’s responsibility towards the protection of one of its citizens.

My first concern is; she does not answer the obvious question of: Did the Gambian authorities approached ever and at any time hold in detention  Mr.Manneh.?

There  is circumstantial evidence that Mr.Manneh was detained by agents of the NIA at the offices of his employer The Daily Observer.

That his immediate superior Dr.Saja Taal advised his ageing father to contact the Gambian  authorities for the answers to assertion his whereabouts.

That eye witnesses suggest Mr.Manneh was seen in the company of these agents whilst attending the RVTH for what was described as treatment for High Blood Pressure.

High blood pressure in itself is usually an indicator of a person under extreme distress. It is also a considerable factor in the diagnosis of a serious heart condition, that can lead to death if not treated quickly and medically. Their is no previous evidence that Mr. Manneh had an ongoing blood pressure concern.{What was causing this ?}

 It was reported on the online "All Gambia"  that they had taken a statement from Mr.Manneh's elderly father. In that story, Mr. Manneh senior explained in appalling circumstances how he had sat all day waiting for the attention of the authorities who moved him on to all the relevant agencies without compassion or concern for his son's whereabouts. He even sat outside the gates of the Vice President's home until he was moved on again.

 Mr.Manneh expressed concern over  the families welfare at the loss of the only bread winner and that his only income was around some 500 dalasis a month with which to feed the entire family. This also gave an indication that he was not in any financial position to engage a Gambian Lawyer. It therefore follows that without the assistance of The Media Foundation of West Africa....The Manneh's plight was dire and without any avenue to seek Justice from within The Gambia or was to be given any help by the recognized contact agencies who is the first line of approach by any concerned citizen raising concern and alarm.

I believe, that Mr.Manneh senior, has acted with intelligence and fortitude and considerable determination by undertaking the cause to find his missing son. Every reasonable avenue was undertaken in good faith by this considerable senior citizen of The Gambia.

The response of all the Gambian agencies including the police and the NIA and even the Vice President fills me with grief and the deepest feeling of shame for all concerned.

 In the case of Ms.Marie Firdaus Saine and her eloquence in this matter.  You Live with this my dear.  It will be your life sentence. What ever you achieve from now on ........

Let this be the defining moment of your worthless career. When you look in the eyes of your father.....may you always remember that...this could have been you !!!

Quite honestly this whole affair makes me feel very  horribly ashamed to have once considered  some Gambians as members of the human species.

This whole shocking affair is deeply disturbing, and sickening.

I appeal to all the Gambian media agencies to show solidarity to overcome the evil in our midst....This is a time for Unity and Strength.                                                                                                 Michael..U.K.