Reports coming from Banjul has it that Former Secretary General and minister for Presidential affairs Momodou Sabally has appeared before a high court Judge today in Banjul. Mr. Sabally who was dismissed by President Jammeh has been in detention with the NIA for over a month without charges. He was arraigned before a high court judge who denied him bail. State prosecutors have filed economic crimes and abuse of office charges against the former secretary general and minister for Presidential Affairs for causing economic loss to Social Security and Housing Finance Corporation SSHFC.
He has been remanded with the NIA and has been ordered detained until his next court appearance on October 14th 2014. Details of the charge sheet and what exactly transpired in court is yet to be confirmed. However, a source close to Gainako who witnessed Sabally’s appearance said that the situation was very tense and somber in and around the court. Everybody appears to be so confused about what is going on and why Mr. Sabally continue to be detained until this time without charges.
Other sources close to corridors of power continue to wonder what crime Sabally has committed to warrant his detention incommunicado for all these period. It is a violation of Sabally’s constitutional rights to detain him beyond the 72 hours mandated by the Gambian constitution opined another source. Whatever crime Sabally may have committed, it has no indication that it has anything to do with national security. His case like many others before him are more likely to be just a fall out with the President which usually results in detention, prosecution and possible jail time for many years in prison.
Gainako will continue to monitor the situation surrounding this case and will update readers on any developments. Our editorial team is with the conviction that regardless of Sabally’s alleged crimes, he has a fundamental rights to due process of the law and deserve to be treated with respect and dignity.