"The police prosecutor then stood up at this point to oppose the
granting of bail. He argued that they took a lap top from Halifa
Sallah’s home which is in their possession and if Halifa is granted
bail he may tamper with the ‘website of the lap top’."
Boy!, we are really dealing with some first class idiots here.
Also, the statement regarding "confidential information which will
benefit the enemy" is proof positive that Yaya Jammeh's government
considers the Gambian people as "enemies". Out of their own mouths.
These ridiculous bail conditions that they know cannot be met since all
the Alkalos now are stooges appointed by Jammeh and any "Ex-Inspector
General of Police or Ex-Brigadier of the army who have been retired for
at least eight years" all fall within the time frame of the Tyrannical
regime and even if any dare make a move, they will also be treated to
the Yaya Jammeh tyranny masquerading as a legitimate government.
We need to put words into action and do whatever is within our means to
make sure that this last misdeed will be teh straw that broke the
camel's back.
Jabou Joh
-----Original Message-----
From: pasamba jow <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Wed, 11 Mar 2009 2:07 pm
Subject: Halifa Sallah“Ready To Be Sacrificial Lamb”
Halifa Sallah Not Meet Bail Condition “Ready To Be Sacrificial Lamb”
By Publisher on 11-03-09 (21 reads) News by the
same author
Halifa Sallah, former NADD presidential candidate and Foroyaa Editorial
Board member, told supporters and sympathisers at the Brikama
Magistrates Court, that he is willing to become a sacrificial lamb to
ensure the liberty and dignity of the people. He made this remark at
the close of his first appearance in court since he was arrested on
Sunday 8 March, 2009.
“I am ready to suffer for others not to suffer, but what is going on
must come to a stop,” he told his audience. He told them that there is
no need for them to despair. He asked them to go home, but they need
not worry that he could not possibly meet the conditions of the bail
granted. He indicated that he was looking for their strength and not
their weakness. He stressed to them that they needed to be strong.
These words evidently touched the audience and the grim faces soon
became bright.
Shortly after the adjournment of the case he was whisked to the Remand
Wing of Mile Two Prison.
Many people
in court were dumbfounded when the Magistrate imposed the following
bail conditions:
(1) A bail bond in the sum of 1 million dalasis to be signed by three
sureties;
(2) Two of the sureties must be Ex-Inspector General of Police or
Ex-Brigadier of the army who have been retired for at least eight years;
(3) One of the sureties must be an Alkalo (village head) from Western20
Region
When he appeared in court, three charges were read to him:
(i) Spying, in that while at Makumbaya, he had obtained confidential
information which he knew is useful to the enemy
(ii) Control of processions in that he held a procession while in
Makumbaya
(iii) Seditious intention in that he unlawfully assembled the people of
Makumbaya in order to collect information that would bring hatred or
contempt or excite disaffection against the Government of The Gambia.
He pleaded not guilty to all three charges.
The police prosecutor then stood up
at this point to oppose the granting of bail. He argued that they took
a lap top from Halifa Sallah’s home which is in their possession and if
Halifa is granted bail he may tamper with the ‘website of the lap top’.
Halifa Sallah, who was unrepresented, submitted that the offences
alleged are bailable. He further submitted that every accused person is
presumed innocent until he/she has pleaded or proven guilty. He also
submitted that the hearing of the case should be free and fair. He
concluded that the court should not restrain his ability to defend
himself.
He opined that what is significant is for the court to ensure his
appearance whenever it deems it fit. He pointed out that he had sought
the highest office of this land as a presidential candidate in 2006. He
assured the court that he would comply with whatever condition the20
court imposes to ensure his appearance at an adjourned date as long as
the conditions are reasonably
justifiable in a democratic society. The magistrate did not like the
last bit of the statement and after a brief exchange Halifa amended it
to: “I will comply with whatever the court deems just.” He therefore
asked the court to grant him bail.
He pointed out that the submission of the prosecution regarding the lap
top is neither here or there in that in the first place the lap top
does not belong to him but his wife.
Fishing Expedition
He asserted that the prosecution were simply engaged in a fishing
expedition. He emphasised throughout his detention that he had never
been confronted with any witness.
"True peace is not merely the absence of tension; it is the presence of
justice." Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
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