Says the Case of Njogou and Co is Still before the Court
The National Assembly Member (NAM) for the Niamina Dankunku Constituency Honorable Samba Jallow who also doubles as the Minority Leader in The Gambian Parliament has reacted promptly to the remarks made by President Jammeh on Njogou L Bah former SG and Presidential Affairs Minister, Ex Justice Minister Jobarteh and Foday Barry an Ex NDEA Director of intelligence.
Speaking to Gainako News Friday August 9th, NAM Bah noted that since the matter is before the courts, the President should not make any comments opining that the judgments are yet to deliver in the trial involving the three top officials.
“You can only pardon or applied Prerogative of Mercy when the accused standing trial is convicted by the court,” he said.
The Niamina Dankunku Law maker further stated that in the case of the trio, the statement made by the President seems to be contradictory to the Judiciary noting that it means the President is aware of how the case would end as he state that he would not forgive the trio.
On the independence of the Gambian Judiciary, he said it should be independent because it is the second organ in the country which decides on the cases involving accused persons so its independence should not be compromised.
“ I am urging the Judiciary and those assigned to the case of the trio to categorically observe with care in order for them to have a fair trial, but it is very premature for President Jammeh to make such statements as the accused persons are going to court for trial,” he noted.
Even if the GSIC and the council of elders approached him on this very issue according to him, he would not let them feel that he betrays them by refusing, but I think he should have told them that he cannot as at now because the matter is still before the courts charged Jallow.
Commenting on the murder cases, Jallow said the 1997 constitution under Section 18, Sub Section 3 clearly states that the National Assembly shall within ten years from the date of the coming into force of this constitution review the desirability or otherwise of the total abolition of the death penalty in the Gambia so as at now the death penalty should not stand unless it is again taken back to the Parliament.
Equally, this should not allow people to involve in murders in the country maintaining that he is not in for unnecessary crimes but instead, the law should be applied to punish the culprits.
He however, commended Jammeh for his renewed stand on drugs and rapes saying that it is unIslamic and no religion in the globe advocates for them. He also said Jammeh should not be blamed on Islamic issues in the country but the GSIC which is mandated to regulate all Islamic activities in the country as they should be bold enough to their work in accordance with the teaching of the religion.
On impediment on local Foreign Exchange Bureaus in the country, he said that is not the solution but the Gambia needs a highly trained and educated technocrat who would manage the economy and finance of the country but press releases from the Office of the President cannot solve the economic crisis in the country. Jallow called on the administration to respect and promote free market economy which allows competition and free flow of currencies according to the business cycle. He concluded by wishing all Gambians and Muslims around the world a happy and prosperous EID…