By Lamin Drammeh
Authorities in Banjul have arrested Gambian sports journalist Babucarr Sey over his alleged involvement in what the police called an unauthorized protest and press conference.
The young sports reporter Sey, who works for Paradise FM Radio, was arrested Friday evening by the police who accused him of engaging in an illigal press conference and protest intended to undermine the peace and security of the country. Sey was arrested at his native town of Kololi shortly after Jumaah prayer Friday afternoon.
The purported protest and press conference which was held some weeks ago, has to do with a football field claim by the youths of Kololi from Global properties whom they said occupied the land unlawfully.
In other words, They accused Global properties, one of the leading real estate dealers in the Gambia for iligally acquiring the football field, a land the youths said is meant to serve purely as a football field for the youths of Kololi.
Sey is reported to have spent Friday night behind bars by the Gambian police who have since transferred him from Serekunda Police station to Kanifing Police Station where he is to spend the second night in detention.
The police in Banjul said the protest took place without a permit to peaceful exercise of rights to such as prescribed by the laws of the land. However, efforts to grant him bail were not successful.
Sey’s reported arrest comes hot on the heels of similar crackdown on several other protesters by the Police who have taken the matter to the courts to make a final ruling. Last week’s demonstration was held in Kanilai, the birth place of former Gambian dictator Yahya Jammeh. The people of Kanilai and foni by extension have said they do not recognize Barrow as their president. They have since protested for his return without delay.
Sey, who goes by the sobriquet Nani, has been a vocal campigner against former president Yahya Jammeh whose efforts to cling onto power after losing Dec 1 presidential elections failed woefully.
He fled to the neighboring Senegal for his personal safety following threats on his live by the notorious national intelligence agency, NIA, best known for their brutal killings of citizens under previous regime. He returned to his native Gambia following the departure of Yahya Jammeh to Equatorial Guinea where he has been seeking refuge for the past four months.
Global properties agency is owned by one Saul Frazer. Mr Frazer was recently appointed Ambassador at Large by President Barrow-led government.
