By Yusef Taylor, @FlexDan_YT
Here is a series of short stories published on the Gainako Online News Social Media page which have been providing consistent coverage on the property at Bijilo previously occupied by the Anti Crime Unit. The dates of publication of each story are included below.
OIC Hotel to be built on Global Homes Property – first published on 23rd June 2022
Nenneh Freda Gomez, the country representative for Global Homes of Medical Missions held a press conference today highlighting that the Courts have ruled in their favour that the property previously occupied by the Anti Crime Unit is theirs.
She was surrounded by some 6 Police Officers during the entire time she delivered her statement. According to her explanation Police Officers stopped her from entering the property with her vehicle and also stopped the Journalists from accessing the property.
This resulted in the standoff with Nenneh standing on a chair over the fence while Police Officers formed a barricade around her. Meanwhile, Journalists are asking her questions over the fence.
Nenneh posed a question to Gambians to decide if they want a “Hotel or Hospital? What is your priority what is your need what would you prefer?”
What We Know?
On the Ownership of the Property
Global Homes of Medical Mission have won two court cases on the ownership of their property. More recently the State filed a case for the court to set aside the judgement, however, just this week the court ruled against the state’s request and reinforced the previous judgement that the property belongs to Global Homes.
As a result of the court case, Global Homes was ordered to pay over D500,000 to the Ministry of Lands for Land Rates which they did and have presented receipts to Gainako.
The Anti Crime Unit negotiated their continued stay with Global Homes at their property and eventually left the property last year.
However, the Government has declared their intention to construct a hotel for the OIC at the property and has continued to station Officers at the property without permission from the owners.
On the Illegal Arrests
Nenneh Gomez and Lamin Sey were both arrested after initially attempting to repossess the property with support from the Sheriff’s Office. The state charged the duo for trespass and idle loitering and changed their charges numerous times. That case has been superseded by events.
Global Homes decided to take the IGP to court and won on two occasions for their unlawful arrest. The state is supposed to pay them over D100,000 in fines.
Live Stream of Global HOMM Press Conference – first published on 23rd June 2022
Live: Nenneh Gomez of Global Homes of Medical Missions speaks to the press on the Police stopping them from accessing their property after another set of court rulings indicated that the property previously occupied by the Anti Crime Unit is there’s.
Five Star Hotel Discussed in National Assembly – first published on 27th June 2022
The Chairperson of the National Assembly’s Select Committee on the Monitoring of Government Projects, Hon Yaya Sanyang is currently cross-examining Officials of the OIC on the Land in Bijilo purportedly owned by Global Homes of Medical Missions.
OIC’s Nfally Fadera, Head of Marketing and Branding had to swear an oath to deliver a presentation on the 5 Star Hotel which should cost US$100 Million. He alleged that the land has been made available by the Government.
Nenneh Gomez and Lamin Sey Arrested for the Third Time – first published on 5th July 2022
Breaking: Nenneh Freda Gomez and Lamin Sey of Global HOMM (Hearts of Medical Mission) have been arrested today for the third time and are currently being detained at SeneGambia Police Station.
This is the third time the duo have been arrested for visiting their property which the High Court has ruled is lawfully theirs as representatives of Global HOMM.
On the first occasion of their arrest, the duo were arrested alongside one Gilbert Manga at the property on 25th October 2021. After the government changed its charge sheet numerous times the trio took the Government to Court and the High Court ruled that the trio was illegally detained.
The High Court ruling ordered the Government to pay each of the trio D100,000. This ruling was issued on 17th November 2021 by Justice B.A.A. Bakare.
The second time only the duo were arrested at the property of Global HOMM on 19th November 2021. The duo went to court seeking judgement on their unlawful arrest. The High Court ruled on 13th June 2022 that the duo were illegally arrested and detained.
Justice B.A.A. Bakare ruled that their arrest is unlawful and inconsistent with Section 19 of the Gambia’s 1997 Constitution and ordered the Government to pay the duo D100,000 each as compensation.
Today 5th July 2022 the duo have been arrested again for the third time for visiting their property at Bijilo and are currently being detained at SeneGambia Police Station.
The Government is currently owing the trio a total of D500,000 in compensation. D300,000 for the first arrest and D200,000 for the second arrest.
Foundation Stone Laying Postponed to 23rd July 2022 – first published on 16th July 2022
President Barrow’s Laying of Foundation Stone for $100 Million Hotel Postponed to 23rd July 2022
President Adama Barrow was scheduled to lay the foundation stone for a Five Star Hotel today 16th July 2022. This notice was issued on 20th June 2022 by the OIC Secretariat at a media press briefing.
However, after speaking to OIC Media contact Nfally Fadera Gainako Editor Yusef Taylor has been informed that the laying of the foundation stone has been postponed to 23rd July 2022.
Mr Fadera also noted that a press statement will be published shortly on the President’s laying of Foundation Stone for the $100 Million Hotel.
It’s worth noting that the High Court has ruled that the property belongs to Global HOMM in June 2022. Representative of Global HOMM Nenneh Freda Gomez has stated that her organisation will consider filing a lawsuit against the President if he entered the property without their permission.
In fact, Gainako online newspaper can reliably reveal that the Building at the property is currently being demolished and this action came after the High Court Ruling which refused to grant the Ministry of Justice’s application to set aside an earlier judgement in favour of Global HOMM.