Ben Jammeh/Pa Harry Jammeh Accused Of  Witch Hunting!

As Court Remands Samba Juma and Jerry Jarju

NDEA Officers Protest To President Jammeh

By Staff Reporter Malang Jammeh & Pa Nderry M’Bai

Protesting National Drug Enforcement officers, who reached the Freedom Newspaper, are ragging over the injustices taking place in their offices, under the leadership of Benedict Jammeh.  The officers claimed that Ben Jammeh acting in concert with his brother Solicitor General Pa Harry Jammeh, have been spearheading a behind the scene moves for a local magistrate in Brikama to deny bail  two of their former comrades,  Chief  Inspector Jerry Jarju and Superintendent  Samba Juma Camara, the Freedom Newspaper has gathered.  Both Mr. Jarju and Camara were remanded in prison Tuesday, even though the offences they have been charged with were bailable, the protesting NDEA officers said. The men had been in custody for close to two months without trial, they said.

According to the aggrieved NDEA officers, Ben Jammeh and Pa Harry harbored grudges against Jarju and Camara for merely facilitating the jailing of their brother Antonio Jammeh, who was jailed for drug trafficking. Antonio was intercepted with a large consignment of cannabis sativa locally known as “JAMBA” by  the Sibanorr police, which was headed at the material time by Samba Juma Camara, and Jerry Jarju, the officers said.

The concerned NDEA officers noted that it is “regrettable” that Pa Harry and Ben are using the President’s name to perpetrate such injustices when in actual fact the Head of State is completely innocent.  The officers said Jerry and Samba are in the bad books of the two powerful officials, who thought that they can use their positions to avenge what the NDEA insiders  called “ personal acrimonies”  harbored against the agency’s most hardworking officers.

Kebba Sanyang, the former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, under the Second Republic,  is the defense counsel for the jailed former NDEA officers.  The protesting NDEA officers said even though Mr. Sanyang had persistently argued in court that the offences in question were bailable, the magistrate refused to grant bail to the accused persons.  Both Samba Juma Camara and Jerry Jarju are facing multiple corruption, and abuse of office charges.

The protesting NDEA officers urged President Jammeh to look into their plight—saying that what is happening at the NDEA today tantamount to “ethnic cleansing, and witch hunting.”  The insiders said Ben took over office with an agenda. They claimed that since Ben’s emergence at the NDEA, there have been an environment of fear, maladministration, and above all gross injustices. 

“ During the so called retrenchment exercise he (Ben Jammeh) asked for the officers related, or closely associated with Bun Sanneh, Ousman Sanneh, and Karamo Bojang. He fired these officers based on information given to him by his Deputy Khalilu Njie, and line the Directorate.  We are not sure if the President is aware of the activities of Ben, Pa Harry, Khalilu Njie, and his Directorate.  They are favoring their own people. If Ben is a man of God, and religion, why is he stooping too low to compromise his position because of trivial personal differences he had with Samba Juma and Jerry Jarju,”said the concerned NDEA officers.

According to the officers, when Pa Harry’s brother Antonio Jammeh was arrested by the Sibanorr police, Ben enquired about the case.

“ Shortly after speaking to Samba Juma, he Ben came to the NDEA offices and told the officers in charge  to exercise zero tolerance to Antonio.  Guess what happened? Antonio was given  a “chicken fine.”  He is also given special treatment at Mile Two. This is the type of Gambia we are living in today,” said the protesting officers.

The concerned officers said if President Jammeh wants to instill honesty, and professionalism at the NDEA, Ben should avoid conflict of interest. The insiders said the recent mass sacking of the hardworking officers of the agency would sow seeds of hatred for The President and his Government.

“ Some of the dismissed officers were against what was happening during Bun Sanneh’s era. You will be surprised that to know that Bun’s own loved ones were committed  to serve with humility despite what happened to their relative. We know why he is sparing Mamina Badjie (Essa Badjie’s) brother.  President Jammeh will find out for himself as time goes by.  Mamina, like the other dismissed staffers deserved to keep their employment despite their relationship with their fallen relatives. This is not about ethnic and family cleansing. It is about serving and protecting one’s  country with integrity. Even if President Jammeh instructed them to sack these people as they claimed, they ought to have prevailed on the President reconsider his decision.  These are patriotic officers with a clean bill of excellent services to our dear nation,” said one of the officers.

Jerry Jarju is a native of Jambanjelly, while Samba Juma Camara is a resident of Brikama. Both men had longstanding services with the anti narcotic unit.   

Meanwhile,  Chief Inspector Samba Jawo, who was arrested on  ( Criminal Charm) related charges has been denied bail. As usual, NDEA sources said the Directorate  said President Jammeh instructed them to keep Samba Jawo in custody until such a time he President Jammeh deems it imperative to set him free.  Mr. Jawo is a native of Kuntaur.  He served about three decades in the Force. He was blackmailed with allegations that he attempted to harm Ben Jammeh, and his Deputy Khalilu Njie with spiritual charms.   

Ben Jammeh, and Pa Harry Jammeh were not available for immediate comment.