Magistrate Ebrima Jaiteh of the Brikama Magistrates’ Court who was picked up at his residence in Madina Salam on the night of November 6th has been released from Police custody. Jaiteh was kept in police custody for over week in apparent violation of the 72 hour limit in the constitution that suspects could be held before they are released on bail or taken to court. Fatu Radio had confirmed that Jaiteh was held at the serious crimes unit of The Gambia Police Force, at the Force headquarters in the capital Banjul.
His arrest, according to sources, is in connection with land case he struck out from his court and transferred to Bundung Magistrate’s court on the basis that his court lacked the jurisdiction. Although he acted professionally, the government still became dissatisfied with his actions and ordered for his arrest immediately after the word got out to The Dictator.
Magistrate Jaiteh has presided over many high profile cases, among them, the case of the Calipha General of Dasilameh, Sheikh Muhideen Hydara and the Alkalo of the village, Buya Touray. Magistrate Jaiteh freed both Hydra and Touray after a long and protracted legal case which was handled by several magistrates. His judgement to free both men stemmed out what he called “prosecution’s lack of credible and compelling.
He further stated that the prosecution has failed flat to proof that the announcement over the national Television sanctioning the Eidul Fitr on a specific day was from The President. He thereby acquitted and discharged the accused persons on counts one and two respectively.
Another case that he presided over was the case of Lamin Waa Juwara, former minister for local government and regional administration, whom he also acquitted and discharged in May 2015.
Magistrate Jaiteh was granted bail by The Brikama Principal magistrate, Hilary Abeke at the sum of D50,000, a little over a thousand US dollars. He is charged with Abuse of office and negligence.
