FOROYAA Newspaper (Serrekunda)
Madi Njie and Fabakary Ceesay
24 June 2009
Mr. Augustine Kanja, a reporter and columnist at the Point Newspaper, also the assistant communication and public relation office of the Network of Human Rights Journalist (NHRJ), The Gambia, on Monday, 22 June, was among the people driven by paramilitary officers out of the jam-packed court premises, where the 7 journalists were appearing for trial. He was in the process of replacing his digital camera memory chip when one of the security officials in plain clothes arrested him.
"I saw the officers moving with Mr. Kanja towards a mango tree in the court premises" said a reporter colleague. Eventually it was gathered that he is arrested and taken to the police station. Media colleagues visited Serrekunda police station to see whether they could secure bail but to no avail. He was last seen at the CID office around 5pm on Monday. His colleagues were asked to come back the following day. As the waiting journalists showed concern, the officer said there is nothing they could do other than detain Kanja up to the following day because they did not receive orders from the top to release him on bail. He told journalists to consult the police PRO for any further enquiry.
The Police PRO, Inspector Sulayman Secka, was contacted on the matter and he promised to get back after consulting with the concerned officials. However, up to the time of going to press, PRO Secka could not be reached on phone.
Efforts of a legal practitioner to facilitate his release on bail also failed.
When contacted, Lawyer Assan Martin, confirmed that he has made efforts to secure the release on bail of journalist Kanja but was told by the police that they are still investigating the matter.
Editor's Note
The Inspector General of Police, the Minister of Interior and the President of the Republic should take special interest in this case just to update themselves on the type of happenings affecting young media practitioners. The President should be concerned about the system of enforcement of the law in this country. The integrity of a system of justice rests on how the law is enforced. We hope his case will be speedily investigated and concluded. There is need to observe the due process of law at all times and give regard to members of the legal professions as interlocutors between law enforcements officers and the public.
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