Gambia’s High Court in Banjul on Wednesday 14 March ordered the release of four of the five military personnel who have been in detention for 1-year 8 months without any known crime.
Major Wally Nyang, Warrant Officer Bai Lowe, Staff Sergeant Abdoulie Jallow, Lance Corporal Sang Mendy and ex-Lance Corporal Abdoulie were reportedly arrested in June 2010 at the military post at President Jammeh’s home village of Kanilai in the West Coast Region.
They were since then being kept at the central prisons Mile 2 situated at the outskirts of Banjul.
The Gambia Armed Forces had repeatedly denied knowledge of their detention.
“Putting into consideration the affidavit filed by the defense counsel, the court would grant bail to the applicants pending any charge that might be brought against them,” Justice Edrissa Fafa Mbye has declared.
Tears rolled down from the eyes of some family members and sympathisers of the young men, who locked up for nearly two years, even when the law forbids detention without charge beyond 72 hours.
“Thank you,” a wife of one of the soldiers whispered to the defense lawyer, Neneh Cham. “May Allah reward you.”
But all is not over as the men were released on bail - D250, 000 each and a Gambia surety who must have a landed property within Greater Banjul area. They have been also ordered to surrender all their travel documents and to report to the nearest police once a week.
Meanwhile, Lance Corporal Anthoney Mendy, who was also arrested together with the four soldiers will know his fate today.
Author: binta bah
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