Says Sankareh Should Be Arrested
By: Nyima Sillah
The NAM for Latrikunda Sabiji, Yaya MentengSanyang, has called for the immediate arrest and indictment of the Gambia government spokesperson for allegedly sabotaging the work of the Police despite the Office of the IGPtaking full responsibility for Ebrima G. Sankareh’s utterances. “Mr. Sankareh’sstatement before the police released their statements should be seen as sabotage and the police should arrest him and charge him for interference with police functions and the same charge sheet should include giving false information to the public,” NAM Sanyang toldThe Voice in an interview.
The LK NAM stressed that Sankareh is a government spokesperson and not a police spokesperson, arguing that he should desist from giving statements on crime-related activities as it’s the police that is mandated to do so.
“That is why we have a police PRO and deputy PRO. Crime is not politics, where one can give any reckless statement to score political points on opponents,” the LK NAM emphasized.
He reiterated that it is not Sankareh’s domain to give statements on crimes under investigation. By doing so, Sanyang added, he preempted the investigation processes and outcome.
“The Gambian police should understand that their operations are guided by the Constitution and the police Act, all of which explicitly defined their roles and they should be seen doing just that,” Yaya stated.
The LK NAM further stated that the police should respect the views of the public and restrain Mr. Sankareh from issuing statementson crime, adding that Sankareh is one of the few people, who reacted to the unfortunate shooting of the gallant officers and disrespectfully associated it with political actors without shame and remorse.
Sanyang argued that the outcome of the investigations so far is parallel to his view,which in itself is an indictment of his falsehood.
“He is too much all over and reporting and giving statements on everything that happens in The Gambia. He doesn’t seem to know his limit. He should urgently be educated on his terms ofreference as a government spokesperson,” NAM Sanyang contended.
It would be recalled that a few days after the murder of two paramilitary officers on 12thSeptember, the Gambia government spokesman claimed on West Coast Radio that the prime suspect, Ousainou Bojang, was a security guard with the UDP-led Brikama Area Council(BAC).
