The police anti-crime unit must and should stay and empowered to continue protecting Gambians, Mai Fatty has insisted.

The unit has come under immense criticism following torture allegations against its head Gorgi Mboob.

Mr Mboob over the weekend made headlines after 26-year-old Ebrima Sanneh accused him of attack him on his genitals.

Police first denied categorically that the attack took place, then flipped after coming under pressure from Gambians. Mboob has now been placed on administrative leave amid an investigation into the claims.

Mai Fatty speaking at a news conference on Tuesday was however not receptive to the idea of the anti-crime being scrapped, as suggested by some people.

The former interior minister said: “While we are today clamouring for change, the anti-crime must stay [and] should stay and I am urging the government to strengthen it. To reform it, to empower it with the tools necessary so that it can continue to protect Gambians across the country.”

By Lamin Njie

Businessman Bubacarr Keita will be kept under police custody for another day following the adjournment of his bail hearing.

The 29-year-old was supposed to return to court today for continuation of his bail hearing but it suffered a setback amid the death of former judicial secretary Haruna Jaiteh, which has prompted the country’s courts to go into a day’s recess.

Mr Keita is facing allegations he raped his ex-wife’s 15-year-old sister, with the incident allegedly taking place last year.

On Tuesday, he appeared in court as his lawyers pushed for his release on bail.

The hearing was supposed to continue today but the death of former judicial secretary Haruna Jaiteh has dealt it a blow.

The hearing will now continue on Thursday.

Mr Keita continued to appear in high spirits today as family and friends visited him at Bundung Police Station.

The Gambia Press Union (GPU) said on Tuesday it has learnt with ‘sadness’ that some journalists have contracted the coronavirus in line of duty.

“The Union wishes all of them well and looks forward to seeing them back at practice,” the journalists body said in a statement.

It added: “Since the outbreak of Covid-19 global pandemic – and its emergence in The Gambia – media houses and reporters have been working under extremely difficult and dangerous circumstances to save lives by keeping the people informed and educated of the pandemic and ultimately holding the government to account.

“As frontliners, reporters have been reporting from treatment centres, the airport and land borders and other many potential hotspots without adequate protective equipment and disinfectants.

“The Union is proud of these enormous sacrifices and calls on the public and the government to support journalists whose work is crucial to stopping the spread and saving lives.

“We equally call on media houses and journalists to utilise the media advisory prepared by the GPU, which provides key guidance on safety of journalists during the pandemic.”

Israel through its embassy in Dakar has donated 10,000 dollars to the people of the Mansakonko local government area.

A statement by the embassy on Tuesday said: “Mr Daniel Aschheim, Deputy Chief of Mission of The Israeli Embassy in Dakar, has received this Monday July 27th, 2020, The Chairman of Mansakonko Council Mr. Landing B. SANNEH and his Executive Chief Officer Mr. Paa Saith CEESAY.

“The purpose of the meeting was to donate a symbolic check of $10.000 to the population of Mansakonko to help cope with the economic crisis caused by the COVID19.

“The Mayor gladly thanks the Israeli Embassy and its entire staff for such a “big gesture” that promotes the relationship between the two countries, and adds more credential to the Mansakonko City.

“For the Israeli Embassy, offering food supplies to 400 families in the Gambia is a privilege and honor.

“The provision’s distribution will take place right after the feast of Aïd El Kebir. Sadly, as The Mayor said, The Representatives of The Israeli Embassy will not participate to that event, but The Council is looking forward to host them as soon as the pandemic resolved.”

Police said on Tuesday security task forces will be be conducting ‘constant’ patrol to ensure people are wearing face masks, in line with the mandatory requirement for people to wear face masks.

Police said in a statement: “With the number of new Covid-19 cases increasing in the Gambia daily, the Gambia government has passed a regulation with effect from Friday 25th July 2020 making the wearing of facemask mandatory as a preventative measure against the further spread of the Corona virus in the country.

“To this effect, the Office of the Inspector General of Police wishes to inform the General Public that it has started enforcing the wearing of facemask in all public places.

“The public is further informed that the Covid-19 security task forces all over the country will be conducting constant patrol and monitoring to ensure compliance with the mandatory facemask wearing regulations.

“In this regard, the public is hereby urged to cooperate and support the security in preventing and controlling the spread of the Covid-19 Pandemic in the Gambia.”

By Lamin Njie

Bubacarr Keita accused of raping a 15-year-old girl has had his bail hearing adjourned following a marathon session on Tuesday.

Lawyers for the businessman on Wednesday asked a high court sitting at Bundung Magistrates Court to grant bail to the 29-year-old.

Mr Keita has been in detention at Mile 2 Prison since he appeared in court last week over allegations he raped his ex-wife’s 15-year-old sister. The incident allegedly happened last year.

On Tuesday, Keita appeared in court for bail hearing which started at a little after 11am as dozens turned up for a case that has garnered national attention.

When the judge took his seat, a five-man team of attorneys led by Alasan Jobe quickly announced they were appearing for the state.

The hearing then began with state attorney Alasan Jobe stating the court had last week made an order remanding the accused person in custody pending the determination of the matter.

“Learned counsel for the defence thereafter filed a motion on notice with supporting affidavit for his bail,” Jobe told high court judge Momodou SM Jallow.

He then added, as he asked the defence to move his bail application before they would reply: “The state filed/responded to the said ,motion and this was served to the defence.

“The defence filed an affidavit in reply, in opposition and this was served on the state yesterday.”

Defence lawyer Lamin S Camara after the judge granted him leave to move his motion for bail insisted there was a motion before the court dated 20th July 2020 “which motion is seeking for bail to be granted to the applicant subject to such terms and conditions that this court deems fit to grant”.

“My Lord, this motion is premised on Section 24 of the 1997 constitution as well as Section 99(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code. The motion is supported by a 30-paragraph affidavit sworn to by Abdoulie Keita, brother to the applicant,” Mr Camara insisted.

He insisted further: “We are relying on all the paragraphs contained in the affidavit, particularly paragraphs 4 to 30.”

Mr Camara who has over decades under his belt as a criminal lawyer then told the judge Keita had been on police bail since 7 November 2019 and had never absconded the jurisdiction.

“…The applicant is a father of two children and has never had a problem with the law prior to this,” Camara said, adding it was averred in the affidavit the accused would not interfere with the witnesses and that he had no criminal record prior this case.

The defence attorney still with his affidavit for bail said it has also been averred Keita will not interfere with the investigation – if any – which he insisted has concluded.

Still with the affidavit, Camara said it is also averred Mr Keita has people who are willing and ready to serve as sureties if the court is willing to grant bail; that he will in no way jump bail and that he is a prominent businessman employing nothing less than 15 Gambians.

“My Lord, these are the conditions that the applicant needs to depose himself to warrant the court to exercise its discretion in granting bail,” Camara argued.

He then insisted: “My Lord, the law is that it is the state that should give the court ample evidence why bail should not be granted to the applicant.”

Camara said the state’s application in opposition to bail has no factual evidence in support of the denial of bail.

The defence attorney tearing into the state’s affidavit against bail which says 20 June was when the accused sent a delegation to the victim’s families.

“Merely saying he (accused person) sent people is not enough…Their particulars are missing. Who was sent? On whose behalf? That is what the law requires,” Keita’s lawyer argued.

He then turned to Paragraph 20 of the state’s affidavit against bail which says the complainant and the witnesses can be ‘greatly’ influenced or intimidated if Mr Keita is released on bail.

“Let us look at the witnesses,” Lawyer Camara said.

He added: “From the indictment, complainant is the first witness; witness number 2 is the applicant’s ex-wife; witness number 3 is their mother; witness number 4 is a medical doctor who is only a formal witness and witness Number 5 and 6 are police officers. How on earth can these people be intimidated by the applicant? How? [It’s] not stated [in their affidavit].”

Camara then told the judge those were the kinds of arguments averred throughout the state’s affidavit in opposition to bail.

He then said: “Out of abundance of caution, we filed a 20-paragraph affidavit in reply denying that [the] applicant will flee; will interfere with the witnesses or intimidate them; and My Lord, we rely on all the paragraphs in the affidavit sworn to by Abdoulie Keita (the brother).”

Camara then turned to concern by the state of Mr Keita having a valid US Visa and could flee to that country.

He said: “My Lord Paragraph 27 of the affidavit in opposition said the applicant has a US visa and so is a huge flight risk. Serious averrment! And to show how untrue [that is], that is meant to mislead this could.”

Camara still making his case said Mr Keita does indeed have a US visa as attached in the affidavit.

He however argued: “…The applicant acquired a visa [on] 14 November [2019] just a week after being released on bail by police but [he] stayed in the country. My Lord it has almost been nine months and he did not leave this country.

“If he was minded to running, he would have run a long time ago. But he wants to stay, fight for his name and be vindicated.

“Finally, I submit that the respondents did not put anything before this court in their 33-page affidavit to warrant this court not to grant bail. The offence is bailable.”

The defence lawyer in adding further weight to his argument referred the judge to the case of Henry Gabriel Vs the State in which the former who was charged with murder was released on bail by the Supreme Court after his charge was amended to manslaughter, an offence punishable by life imprisonment.

“My Lord in the high court, bail has been granted in cases punishable by life imprisonment,2 Camara insisting further as he touted State Vs Haggi Jabbie and 22 others arson case as an example.

“And finally Mr Lord, A[minata] Saho Ceesay granted bail to the Three Years Jotna [members] charged with arson. My Lord that case is the State Vs Abdou Njie and seven others,” he added.

Camara in his bid to secure bail for his client then said life imprisonment is bailable, from the Supreme Court to the high court.

“Finally, even in the Sexual Offences Act, there is presumption for bail clearly stated under the Act, Section 13…,” he said.

Camara then concluded: “In the circumstances, I respectfully urge this honourable court to grant bail taking into consideration Section 99(2) of the Criminal Procedure Code, because the respondents have woefully failed to put anything cogent facts to warrant a refusal of bail.”

The state attorney began responding that in response to Mr Keita’s motion for bail and affidavit in support, the state filed a 33-p affidavit in opposition sworn to by Mariama Jallow, the legal clerk attached at the criminal division of the ministry of justice.

“It was dated 23rd July 2020. The said affidavit in opposition denied almost all paragraphs of the affidavit in support,” state attorney Alasan Jobe said.

He then said: “As provided for under Section 13 of the Sexual Offences Act, the state had a duty to inform the complainant of her right in the bail application.

“From paragraph 5 to 10 of the affidavit in opposition, it is in compliance with Section 13 of the Sexual Offences Act.

“My learned senior friend state that all the paragraphs of the affidavit in opposition were a bare denial. I am going to counter that.

“He specifically mentioned P-11 of the affidavit in opposition which states that ‘she will continue to live with the trauma for the rest of her life as it has impacted her life very serious’. My Lord I wonder how this amounts to a bare denial.”

The state attorney then insisted the complainant was a victim of rape only for him to back-pedal on the comments after the defence lawyer took him head on.

“Objection My Lord, this is no victim of rape, there is only a victim of alleged rape,” Lamin Camara said.

The state attorney then said ‘as the court pleases’ after the judge asked him whether he was going to the defence lawyers argument.

Continuing with his argument, the state attorney Alasan Jobe said the alleged victim rape victim was going to school.

“As a result of the alleged rape…” he said before the defence lawyer interrupted again by insisting what the state attorney was saying was not in Paragraph 12 of the affidavit.

The state attorney then read P-12 which says the complainant is no longer going to school due to the rape and her subsequent impregnation and breastfeeding of her baby which was bron in April 2020.

“My Lord, it is common sense that such tragic happening will cause trauma to the complainant,” the state attorney insisted.

He continued: ” My Lord I would now have to go to the issue of passport, the fact that the accused person has a valid US visa. Learned Counsel for the defence said that the accused person would have jumped bail if he was minded to do so.

“My Lord, at that time in which he was on police bail, he was charged with defilement.”

The defence lawyer again interrupted by asking, ‘where is that in the affidavit in opposition?’

“My Lord, I am replying to the issue, he is misleading the court in regards to what the accused person was charged with [which is] defilement which is different from the charge before the court,” the state lawyer insisted.

Camara who was not impressed fired back that the state lawyer was not making his arguments from the affidavit in opposition to bail.

“You cannot give evidence from the Bar,” Camara insisted.

State lawyer Jobe continuing said all the cardinal principles in bail applications is whether the accused will not jump bail. The session was then suspended for five minutes.

At 1pm, the case resumed as the state lawyer picked up from where he stopped in his argument for bail to be refused.

He insisted going by the provision of Section 99 of the Criminal Procedure Code, the accused person is not entitled to bail as the offence of rape attracts a punishment of life imprisonment.

“My Lord I submit that a court’s hands are tied in law to grant bail to the accused person. The question therefore is, does this honourable court have the discretion or even the jurisdiction to grant bail having regard to the alleged offence,” Jobe said.

He added: “My Lord on the issue of the provision of Section 99 makes it very clear that the applicant ought not to be granted bail under these circumstances. It therefore suffices to say that the grounds of bail by the court does not extend to an offence of rape…”

The state attorney continued that presumption of innocence is not absolute and unqualified in his response to the defence lawyer’s mentioning of Section 24 of the constitution.

The state attorney argued further: “My Lord, learned counsel for the defence cited the case of the State Vs Haggi Jabbie in which the high court granted bail to the accused person on a charge of arson which attracts life imprisonment.

“My Lord that decision of the high court can only be persuasive and not binding on this honourable court as both courts have concurrent jurisdiction. The same court has departed from its own judgment just recently on 26 May 2020, in the case of … Gassama and the State in which the same court refused bail to the accused person because the offence attracted a mandatory imprisonment for life. The same Justice Jaiteh that granted bail in the arson charge.”

He continued: “Learned counsel for the defence also mentioned the case of the Three Years Jotna, that is the State Vs Abdou Njie and others. My Lord, defence counsel intends to mislead the court…”

Camara took offence at that statement insisting in his 24 years as a lawyer, he has never misled the court.

“As the court pleases, I would like to withdraw that statement,” the state lawyer quickly said as he changed gear.

He then said: “What he (defence lawyer) failed to tell this honourable court is that the accused person therein were granted bail on offences that were bailable such as wilful damage to property which is a bailable offence, rioting and unlawful assembly. Those were the offences in which they were granted bail, and not on the charge of arson which attracts life imprisonment. I therefore submit that, that case is not applicable in this matter.

“Learned counsel for the defence also mentioned the case of Henry Gabriel Vs the State. My Lord, I would like to submit that the procedure adopted by the court in granting him bail, that procedure is only applicable to the court of appeal and the supreme court and not the high court, as provided for under Section 42 of the supreme court act Vol 2 CAP 605 laws of The Gambia 2009. My Lord, in fact that case was bail pending appeal and there are specific provisions which regulate that.”

“My Lord, the facts of that case and this case are totally different. The accused person therein was charged with murder and he was sentenced to seven years imprisonment after he pleaded guilty,” the state attorney added but the defence lawyer interjected that was his case and the way the state attorney explained it was not the way it happened.

“Murder was dropped and manslaughter charge was brought and he pleaded guilty and sentenced to seven years imprisonment,” Camara said.

“Either way My Lord, the case was different [from the case of Keita]. The court in that case used Section 42 in granting bail and that provision applies only to the supreme court and not the high court,” state attorney Jobe insisted.

He added: “My Lord in the case of Adamu Sulaiman and others Vs CoP (Commissioner of Police) 2008 and the State Vs Albert Sambou certain guidelines were enumerated to guide the court in bail application and these are; (a) nature of the charge, (b) the strength of the evidence which supports the charge, (c) the gravity of the punishment in the event of conviction, (d) previous criminal record of the accused person, (e) the probability of the accused absconding trial, (f) the likelihood of the accused interfering with the witnesses and (g) the likelihood of further charges being brought against him.”

Jobe then wanted to proceed into arguing further on the guidelines only for the judge to announce it was time for Zuhr prayer and suggested that the case be adjourned.

Both sides accepted the judge’s suggestion and the case was adjourned to Wednesday at 10:30, as the judge ordered that Mr Keita be remanded at Bundung Police instead of Mile 2 for easy access to him on Wednesday.

President Adama Barrow took part in an extraordinary virtual meeting of The Authority of Heads of State and Government of the ECOWAS on the Socio-Political Situation in Mali, according to State House.

Mali has been gripped by a political crisis as Malians continue to protest against the rule of President Ibrahim Boubacarr Keita.

Presidents of the 15-nation Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), of which Mali is a member, are discussing ways to defuse tensions between the opposition and President Keita, CGTN African reported on Monday.

State House said President Barrow took part in the ‘extraordinary’ meeting.

“The President used the opportunity to pay tribute to the former Prime Minister of Ivory Coast, Amadou Gon Coulibaly, who passed away earlier this month. He equally condoled ECOWAS and President Macky Sall on the demise of the distinguished journalist and Chair of the ECOWAS Radio, Babacar Toure,” State House added in a statement on its official Facebook page.

Bans on international travel cannot stay in place indefinitely, and countries are going to have to do more to reduce the spread of the novel coronavirus within their borders, the World Health Organization said on Monday.

A surge of infections has prompted countries to reimpose some travel restrictions in recent days, with Britain throwing the reopening of Europe’s tourism industry into disarray by ordering a quarantine on travelers returning from Spain.

Only with strict adherence to health measures, from wearing masks to avoiding crowds, would the world manage to beat the COVID-19 pandemic, the World Health Organization’s director-general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said at a virtual news briefing in Geneva.

“Where these measures are followed, cases go down. Where they are not, cases go up,” he said, praising Canada, China, Germany and South Korea for controlling outbreaks.

WHO emergencies program head Mike Ryan said it was impossible for countries to keep borders shut for the foreseeable future.

“…It is going to be almost impossible for individual countries to keep their borders shut for the foreseeable future. Economies have to open up, people have to work, trade has to resume,” he said.

“What is clear is pressure on the virus pushes the numbers down. Release that pressure and cases creep back up.”

Ryan said Spain’s current situation was nowhere near as bad as it had been at the pandemic’s peak there, and he expected clusters to be brought under control, though it would take days or weeks to discern the disease’s future pattern.

“The more we understand the disease, the more we have a microscope on the virus, the more precise we can be in surgically removing it from our communities,” he added. (CGTN AFRICA)

The European Union delegation to The Gambia on Monday announced the signature of a EUR 2,500,000 COVID-19 emergency response project.

The project is implemented by a consortium of the Spanish Red Cross, The Gambia Red Cross Society and the Medical Research Council – The Gambia, a statement by the EU delegation to The Gambia said, adding it is coming at a time when the expansion of the COVID-19 pandemic is taking a worrying momentum in The Gambia.

“In this time of crisis we all must play our part and take up responsibility, and so does the European Union”, said EU Ambassador to the Republic of The Gambia, H.E. Attila LAJOS, according to the statement.

It added: “This 18 month-long action will be implemented in close collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the other actors of the overall response to the COVID-19 crisis in The Gambia. It will encompass sensitisation and community outreach activities, provisions for the strengthening of the national testing capacities and laboratories in general, and purchases of a number of much needed sanitary supplies: personal protective equipment (for health facilities and other key responders); reagents for testing; oxygen delivery kit (incl. concentrators and pulse oximeters); drugs for general treatment/COVID-19 vaccine; lab equipment-Hood, PCR machine, etc; sprayers for disinfection activities; hygiene and sanitation kits; materials for installation of hand washing facilities, etc.

“The action will also cater for the construction of seven infrastructures for safe disposal in different regions of the country and for the rehabilitation of isolation centre in Kuntaur Health Centre.

“Eventually, a specific component of the project is aimed at mitigating the socio-economic consequences of the crisis by providing safety nets to selected vulnerable households.

“The overall focus will be on people living in most vulnerable situations affected by the COVID-19 crisis in The Gambia, particularly women, people living in poverty, and specific marginalized groups such as persons with disabilities, the elderly and people with underlying health conditions.”

Rights group Beakanyang has called on the Inspector General of Police to suspend Gorgi Mboob over torture claims against the top police officer.

Mr Mboob has been drawing massive flaks after allegations of torture made against him by Ebrima Sanneh, a 26-year-old man from Brikama. Sanneh alleged Mr Mboob attacked him on his private parts while he was being detained at the police anti-crime unit in Bijilo.

Beakanyang in a statement said: “We condemn this act in the strongest term and call on the Inspector General of Police, IGP to launch an independent investigation into the matter.

“Meawnhile, we call on the IGP to suspend Commissioner Mboob with immediate effect until such investigations are concluded.

“As a human rights organization, we find these allegations worrying and remind the police that torture is a serious human rights violation.

“A person who is alleged to have committed a crime is still entitled to enjoy his or her rights and same must be respected.”

Citizens’ Alliance has joined UDP in expressing horror over alleged police brutality involving the head of police anti-crime unit Gorgi Mboob.

CA’s statement today read;

In recent weeks, The Gambia has been faced with a significant rise in crime and delinquency. This has provoked a sense of insecurity and an increasing lack of trust in the police.

This crisis of confidence in The Gambia Police Force is reinforced by the growing role of security personnel in security matters and the diminishing role of the state in protecting and safeguarding the citizenry.

This is most evident in the expressed concerns of the public in respect of the case of Ebrima Sanneh, who had to be hospitalized after he was allegedly physically assaulted by the head of the Anti Crime Unit of The Gambia Police Force, Mr. Gorrgi Mboob. Also noteworthy that Mr. Sanneh and his friends had not been convicted of any crimes, or even charged in a competent court of law as required by due process before they were detained and subjected to forced labor – a form of torture.

Equally disturbing is the fact that the statement released by the Police contradicts both the accounts of events narrated by Mr. Sanneh, other eyewitnesses and the account given by Mr. Mboob himself, as reported by several media houses. A culture of accountability and truth is essential in maintaining public confidence in our public institutions.

Citizens’ Alliance condemns, in the strongest terms, the continued violation of citizens’ rights by security forces. We also call on the government to ensure that state security agents are equipped with the character, discipline and training to carry out their oaths of office to protect and serve the citizens. Those found wanting in both the previous and current regime should have no place wearing the uniform.

Ebrima Sanneh has insisted top police officer Gorgi Mboob hit him with a hoe on his private part following an altercation.

The 26-year-old has put the police in a difficult state following his detention and alleged torture at the police anti-crime unit in Bijilo. He alleged the unit’s commander Gorgi Mboob attacked him after he mistakenly took out a plant of corn while weeding on the unit’s farm.

Police have since denied an attack has taken place and Sanneh has broken his silence about the issue.

Below is his statement;

Dear Gambian brothers and sisters I write this press statement to thank you all for your solidarity and messages of support during this tough period. My attention has been brought to a publication from Poliso Magazine social media account titled “False News, in the matter of Ebrima Sanneh’s alleged Torture”. This press release aimed to refute news reports that I was tortured which is actually the fact.

However, the publication also highlighted that “for verification purposes, his [Ebrima Sanneh’s] family can be contacted”. Given the seriousness of this matter I am compelled to put it in writing that I was tortured and that the publication by Poliso Magazine contains numerous inaccuracies which are evidently wrong. It is important to note that Poliso Magazine or the authors of the release did not contact me to get my account of the incident. I am disappointed that the police are quick to jump to conclusions and cover up rather than conduct a proper investigation to get to the facts of the issue.

Firstly, I was at Kanifing Hospital by 5am in the early morning of Saturday 25th July 2020. I was actually arrested around 3am to 4am in the early hours of Friday 24th July 2020. I was arrested from Ice Lounge with almost 30 other people.

All of us were held in one cell and forced to weed grass in the gardens and farm of Anti Crime Unit in Bijilo the next morning. As we continued weeding the grass, I mistakenly felled a corn plant and that’s when Gorgi Mboob attacked me. Gorgi Mboob punched me in the face and then hit me with a hoe on my private part after snatching it from my hand.

I was semi-conscious and left on the field like that in pain for what felt like over 40 to 50 mins without any medical attention. When I got up to urinate, I was in a lot of pain urinating abnormally and discharged what looked like blood. I was then sent back to the cells for further detention.

In fact, I was re-arrested with no warrant or charge around midday of Saturday 25th July 2020 from Kanifing Hospital and dragged back to the Anti-Crime Unit in Bijilo. This time my relatives and friends came to get me and Gorgi Mboob actually pleaded for forgiveness and then I left.

I am currently seeking medical attention as I am in serious pain and request for the public’s continued support and the required space and time to recover physically. I am also requesting that the Police retracts their statement denying my torture. I and my family are currently seeking legal advice.

We appreciate all the support we have been getting and continue to depend on it. For the Gambia our Homeland. We strive and work and pray. That all may live in unity, freedom and peace each day.

UDP on Sunday called torture claims against anti-crime chief Gorgi Mboob ‘wanton’ cruelty reminiscent of some of the witness testimonies from the TRRC.

Mr Mboob has come under massive condemnation following allegations of torture levelled against him by 26-year-old Ebrima Sanneh. Mr Mboob allegedly beat Sanneh on his genitals while the latter was detained at anti-crime in Bijilo.

Gambia Police Force then on Saturday faced the full fury of a cross-section of Gambians after it insisted the torture never happened.

UDP reacting to the issue in a statement signed by party leader Ousainou Darboe on Sunday said: “The United Democratic Party has observed with utter dismay the conduct of the Gambia Police Force Anti-Crime Unit. That extremely serious allegations of torture and police brutality have been levelled against Mr. GorgI Mboob by Ebrima Sanneh. Mr. Mboob the Head of the Anti-Crime Unit allegedly hit Mr. Sanneh on his genitals leaving him with severe pains without any arrests or investigations. This type of wanton cruelty is reminiscent of some of the witness testimonies from the TRRC.

“The UDP vehemently condemns the alleged acts police brutality, personally meted out by the Head of the Anti-Crime Unit, Mr. Gorgi Mboob in the presence of witnesses thereafter offer an apology to the Victim Mr. Sanneh again in the presence of witnesses. Senior police officers are supposed to protect the citizens from crimes and not be perpetrators of crimes themselves and like any other citizens of the Gambia the GPF is not above the law.

“Therefore, the UDP calls on the IGP & the Hon. Minister of Interior to investigate this matter urgently and thoroughly. As in all cases of serious criminal allegations, the person suspected of committing an offence must be arrested immediately thereafter the Police can determine whether to grant bail or not. Without swift action on the part of the IGP in this matter, the Gambia Police Force will lose any credibility it still has with Gambian people. Without a proper investigation in these serious allegation the Gambia Police Force will damage its reputation further and that the GPF has not significantly changed since the ousting of the dictator in 2016.”