By: Adama Makasuba
Team ‘Gom Sa Bopa’ which means believe in yourself has reiterated calls for the release of Killer Ace whose real name is Ali Cham and 36 youths currently in remand at Mile 2 prison in Banjul. The 37 suspects including 8 none Gambians are facing 8 counts of charges which include capital offenses.
On Tuesday September 3rd the Kanifing Magistrate Court said it doesn’t have the jurisdiction to hear the case of the 37 youths and referred it to the Special Criminal Division of the high court in Banjul. However, the High Court is currently on break until October.
However, the civil society group Team ‘Gom Sa Bopa’ expressed disappointment about the decision of sending the 37 youths in remand saying pending a result of an investigation into July 24 protest.
Speaking at a press conference, Madi Jobarteh an activist: “I wish to demand that the IGP and Attorney General to withdraw charges against these youths immediately.”
“Since the July 24 protest in Serrekunda that neither the Police nor the minister of Interior issued any public statement that they will conduct an investigation into the burning down of Mr Gorgi Mboob’s house. Hence how comes the Police went ahead to arrest a group of youths for that case when no such investigation was conducted to the knowledge of the general public,” he added.
He also demanded an explanation from the IGP about why he took a charge which involve “life imprisonment” to a magistrate court which has no jurisdiction to try such a crime “by taken such a matter before a court means a direct violation of the rights of the youths.”
Yusef Taylor alias Flex Dan a member of Team Gom Sa Bopa said: “We need to be very cautious of what the real narrative is Killer is a victim and not only a victim but has been standing for victims before him. He stood for the victim centre and he will continue to do that.”
Malick Jarju alias DabakMalick, also a member of Team Gom Sa Bopa said: “To me it becomes a mode of selective justice, adding “I don’t believe the Police have the tangible evidence to point at Ace and rest of the youths.”
He said the young people have lost hope in the future of the country, citing that people are going through an education and health system that is very poor, adding that “those politicians who probably before 2016 couldn’t afford to pay for their children’s to attend private schools are now sending their children’s to oversees studies.”
