A 65-year-old Ebo Town imam was arrested last Thursday during a curfew time patrol by police.
Imam Abdoulie Jammeh, the chief imam of a mosque in Ebo Town says he was in his house when police came and arrested him.
He explained: “I was in my house, I was not outside and the police came and said I should explain what happened outside. How can I explain something that happened outside while I am inside my house?
“I was inside my house and they want me to tell them about the person that ran into the compound. How can I say anything on that? They said if I do not talk, they will arrest me.
“They said they found a birthday party here [in the house] but I as an Imam I was in bed. In fact my wife’s father had died and we were in mourning. How can we organise music or a birthday party?
“They then arrested me. I didn’t have any shoes on and took me up to Banjul. I couldn’t do anything about it but Allah could. They arrested me summarily without no reason.”
The imam was released the following day but police while confirming his arrest have told The Fatu Network he was arrested during a routine patrol.
Police spokesman Superintendent Lamin Njie said: “The police were on routine patrols during the curfew when they came across a milling machine operating at Ebo Town with people crowded in there, and they were without face masks.
“They approached the operator, disperse the crowd and eventually got him arrested .
“Some youths came out obstructing the police resulting a clash with the youths. Moments later some elderly people also joined in the obstructions.
“Reinforcement was called in leading to the containment of the situation. A thorough Arial scan was conducted when it was discovered that a nearby compound was throwing a birthday party with musical sets and crowds.
“The music set was taken in as evidence and organizers arrested including the man you mentioned as imam.
“Eleven people were arrested and are currently being processed for prosecution.”
