|
Momodou
Denmark
11804 Posts |
 Posted - 17 Feb 2007 : 17:15:22
|
“PRISONERS IN MILE 2 WITHOUT TRIAL,”
Says A Convict
By Fabakary B. Ceesay
One Michael Rossel Vante, a British citizen, has complained to Magistrate Pa Harry Jammeh of the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court about prisoners detained at mile two prisons for years without standing trial.
Mr. Rossel Vante added that there were lots of insects locally called (Karankoo) or bed lice in the cells that they sleep in. He stressed that the people in the cells are human beings who should not be treated as animals. He noted that some inmates told him that they were never taken before any court of law, adding “Some of them have already spent years in detention.” Magistrate Jammeh asked him whether he wanted to stand for those prisoners. “You better think of how to get out of that place, before talking about others,” says Magistrate Jammeh. Mr. Vante said, “I don’t know, but they are out there sleeping with what they call “Karankoo” they are detained for years without coming to court.”
Mr. Rossel Vante was convicted by the same court on the 13th December 2006 for defrauding one Babucarr Dicko of his money on false pretence. He was alleged to have promised Mr. Dicko that he had a friend in Dakar who was a Captain in a Danish ship and who could get him to Europe. Mr. Vante pleaded guilty to the charge and was fined D70, 000 of which he had paid D18, 000. Magistrate Jammeh granted him bail in the sum of D60, 000 and that he must provide a Gambian surety. Jammeh also adjourned the case to 20th February 2007 to enable the convict to come with a report for the settlement of the outstanding amount. Mr. Vante insisted that he knew some Gambians but could not say whether they had such amount of money. He added that he knew one who had a compound but he did not know its value. Magistrate Jammeh asked him to forward the matter to his Embassy. “No I don’t want my Embassy to know about the case, it is so disgraceful. I am suffering in silence,” said Mr. Vante. Representing the IGP was 493 Badjie. The case was heard at Kanifing Magistrates court on Tuesday 13th February 2007.
Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 019/2007, 16-18 February, 2007
|
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
|
Topic Locked
