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Momodou
Denmark
11818 Posts |
 Posted - 02 Sep 2006 : 14:31:42
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“NIA DIRECTOR IS A LAW BREAKER”
SAYS HALIFA
By Bubacarr K. Sowe and Yaya Dampha
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.
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.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 72/2006, 1-3 August, 2006
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