 |
|
 |
|
 |
 |
|
|
Breaking News:Released coup suspects still report on bail-MP Duta Kamso accused of supplying state secrets to the Freedom Newspaper
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Breaking News:Released coup suspects still report on bail-MP Duta Kamso accused of supplying state secrets to the Freedom Newspaper
Breaking News:Released coup suspects still report on bail-MP Duta Kamso accused of supplying state secrets to the Freedom Newspaper
Freedom Newspaper Editors declared "wanted" as subscribers also report on bail-Police officials reveal!!!
By Staff Writer Karafa Badjie
 Well placed sources at the heart of the Jammeh administration say the
recently released coup suspects were still reporting to the police even
though no evidence was established about their involvement in the said
alleged plot to topple Jammeh's government, the Freedom Newspaper can
authoritatively report. The released coup suspects includes some NIA
officials, civilians and politicians. It is not yet clear what the
state is up to, but sources hinted that the released detainees are
still being asked to report to the police on bi weekly basis. Some were
bailed in the sum of half a million dalasis. They are not free to travel
outside the country since they are placed on bail. It is gathered that
the police are handling their bail bonds and there is no word as to
when these people will be asked to stop reporting on bail. Local police
sources who spoke to our reporter said there was no rational behind
such conditions attached to the bail bonds since there was no evidence
linking the released detainees to the alleged capital offence.
  
In
March of this year, Gambia's President announced on state radio that
some army officers and civilians allegedly led by army fugitive Colonel Ndure
Cham wanted to topple his government. The President vowed that he was
going to set a drastic example this time around against people
attempting to remove him from office by force. Few days after his statement,
reports emerged that five coup suspects including the former Gambia's
intelligence cChief Daba Marena were declared missing by the state. In a
statement, the government announces that the men disappeared after the
vehicle they were traveling with somersaulted on their way to a jail
house in the Central River Division of the Gambia. It appealed to the
general public to help the police and local law enforcement agencies in
the West African country to track down the alleged escapees. But many
critics and local observer believed that the purportedly escaped
security detainees most have been allegedly summarily executed. The
Freedom Newspaper conducted its own investigation and was able to
establish from top army officers regarding the alleged killing of the
coup suspects. This paper was told that Daba Marena and others were allegedly killed by their captives. The government never denied or confirmed our findings.
According
to sources close to the police, some of the released coup suspects are
still reporting to the Kairaba police station. Their freedoms and
liberties had been restricted as they cannot secure employment under
such a police probe. Sources say the President still harbored grudges
against the released detainees even though he announces to set them
free. Police say unless they received advise from the Attorney General
and Secretary of State for Justice Shiek Tijan Hydara, they cannot close
the said case files. A spokesman of the police said investigations into
the said case reveals that the released detainees were not involve in
the said plot.
According to sources, a good number of those
released from detention were still reporting to local police stations
on bail. The same police source said even the Freedom Newspaper
subscribers were asked to report on bail. " They are still reporting on
bail. The state is yet to take them to court. What is clear is that
the state don't have incriminating evidence to try these people. There
is no evidence so far established to confirm that they have direct
connection with the Freedom Newspaper. A TV journalist linked to the
Freedom Newspaper case was in our offices last week to report on bail.
There are other scores of accused persons still reporting on bail."said
the police source.
According to our police source, some local
lawyers were approached to represent these so called freedom Newspaper
informants including a 14 year old boy, but only few lawyers were ready
to take up the cases. A certain lawyer named withheld for now
reportedly charged over D10,000 dalasis just to handle the cases of one
of the people linked to having ties with the Freedom Newspaper. While uncertainty continues to
grip the subscribers, journalist Malick Mboob is still languishing in
jail. Reports have it that Mboob was tortured to coma and was being
treated in detention. Police sources say the Freedom Newspaper editor
and publisher Pa Nderry M'Bai, Omar Bah and other staffers of the
Freedom Newspaper photographs were circulated in various police
stations across the country to be arrested if spotted on the Gambian
soil. Our sources say both Bah and M'Bai had been declared wanted by
the state. The same police source hinted that the Freedom Newspaper
subscribers list was in the hands of airport and border immigration
officers to crack down against people whose names appeared on that
list. Police sources say many travelers who arrived at the airport
were being harassed by immigration officials as they tried to double check
if their names appeared on the said list. In some instances, continued
our police source, visitors and transit passengers were usually
delayed as they faced unfinished police screenings.
In view
of these latest crack down against Freedom Newspaper subscribers,
concerned parents have took it upon themselves to ask their loved ones
not return to the Gambia at this hour, as they risked being arrested or
harassed by the state. Some local security agents at the airport
confirmed the said list in the hands of local immigration officials.
An
elected member of Parliament Duta Kamaso lost her parliamentary seat
as she was accused of passing classified state information to the
Freedom Newspaper. Even though the MP denied talking to the Freedom
Newspaper, she was fired and later detained at an undisclosed location.
Her family and loved ones made desperate attempts to see her, but to no
avail. The government refuses to entertain enquiries regarding Duta
Kamaso's whereabouts. She is yet to be charged with any crime. Other reports also have that the detained former MP was being question in relation to the leakage of information regarding a circluar purportedly issued by MPS to investigate agriculture Minister Yankuba Touray, who was accused of official corruption. Among the issues on that circular includes the unpaid farmers produce, which were sold since last year December.
As
the country's September Presidential elections approaches local
journalists are increasingly worried about their safety. The government
arrest any journalist perceived to be critical. Lamin Fatty, a reporter
with the closed Independent Newspaper is currently going to court on
charges of treason. He reported about the arrest of Samba Bah, a former
intelligence chief, regarding the March alleged foiled coup. Fatty was
arrested and held for several weeks before being charged. The newspaper
offices he worked for was later closed by the state for unexplained
reasons. As a result of the government's hostility against the private
media many journalists are practicing self censorship. The few ones who
took the risked to expose the government usually pay the price.
In
another development, unconfirmed reports have it that the Director
General of the NIA Harry Sambou, was recently questioned in relation to
the so called escape of major Kalipha Bajinka. Harry's sacking and subsequent
detention has been rife in town. The Freedom Newspaper made several attempts
to authenticate the sacking of Harry Sambou without success during the
weekend. But sources say Sambou was among the heads of the security
chiefs summoned to the State house by the President. It is gathered
that Sambou and others were given an ultimatum to produce major Bajinka
"dead or alive." Bajinka who recently returned from military studies from
Nigeria was accused of being involved in the March alleged foiled coup.
He is said to be settling at a neighboring country at the moment
together with army fugitive Colonel Ndure Cham.
The
editor can be reached at the following
addresses:editor@freedomnewspaper.com or panderry_mbai@yahoo.com If you
know that it is happening or is about to happen,please contact us. The
Freedom Newspaper is your leading and most authoritative source of
news. We have the required professionals to serve you round the clock.
|
Posted on Sunday, August 06, 2006 (Archive on Wednesday, August 30, 2006)
Posted by PNMBAI Contributed by PNMBAI
| | Return |
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|