NADD'S Halifa Sallah Sends NIA'S Harry Sambou to the cleaners-Describing him as a law breaker!!!
“HARRY SAMBOU OF NIA IS A LAW BREAKER”
HILIFA SALLAH
By Correspondent Katib I, in Banjul, The Gambia
Halifa
Sallah, the Presidential candidate for the National Alliance for
Democracy and Development (NADD) has indicated that Harry Sambou, the
Director General of the National Intelligence Agency is a lawbreaker,
and is grossly violating the constitution.
Addressing
a Press Conference at the NADD headquarters on Wednesday, Mr. Sallah
said that the continuous detention of Buba Sanyang, a militant of NADD
by the NIA is geared towards undermining his campaign and intimidating
his supporters.
“I
have the conviction to make this loud and clear that Buba is under
arrest and they are yet to say why he was arrested. The Director
General of NIA has spoken after 72 hours and he claimed Buba is still
lawfully detained. Either the Director General of NIA does not know
what is in the constitution or he prefers to honour it with gross
disregard,” he said.
Halifa Takes issue with Harry Sambou of the NIA
Sallah
added that the constitution has spelt out that an arrestee should be
informed within three hours why he or she is arrested and should be
allowed to see a legal adviser.
“He
has failed to do that. Therefore he is a lawbreaker, he has failed to
honour tin this regard. Secondly within 72 hours, you should take the
person to a court or you release him. He is not released or taken
before a court. Worst than that, the Election Decree makes it very
clear what should happen during election period. It say “The Commission
may in its own name institute criminal proceedings for any offences
committed under this act or refer such offence to the Attorney General
for Prosecution,” he pointed out. Hon. Sallah continued to quote
section 129 of the decree, “The Inspector General of Police shall, on
the request of the Commission, assign to the Commission such number of
Police Officers as the Commission may require during the period of
registration of voters and the conduct of election. (2) A Police
Officer assigned to the Commission shall, during his assignment be
under the control and direction of the Commission. (3) Every Police
Officer assigned under this section shall serve the Commission from the
period of the commencement of registration of voters or the conduct of
elections until (a) three days after the end of registration and (b)
seven days after the declaration of election results.”
Sallah
added that they have written to the IEC and has called on the Security
Agency to desist from intimidating his supporters. He added that he
would not compromise any interference in his campaign.
Mr.
Sallah further called on the NIA Director General to desist from using
the media to speak on election matters. The NADD flag bearer said it is
unconstitutional for security heads to talk on election matters. He
said it is unlawful and amounts to intimidation of supporters. Sallah
said when Buba was initially arrested they took food for him and it was
accepted but later when they took food for him, they were told that
Buba is not there. He enquired what Buba is eating whether he is
sleeping under mosquitoes and whether he is in good health.