The Ministry of Justice has opened a criminal investigations into the allegations of rape against Melville Roberts, the head of the America Division at the Foreign Ministry.
Roberts is currently in United Kingdom where he just graduated with Masters in International Law and Diplomacy. He faces several allegations of rape from over a dozen girls.
On Monday, the Justice Ministry said it takes seriously the allegations against Melville. Meanwhile, on Sunday the Foreign Affairs Ministry has told journalists that the ministry is seeking advice from relevant authorities what appropriate steps to take on the Roberts’ case.
Below is the Ministry’s statement:
It has come to the attention of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubacarr M. Tambadou, that a number of women have recently made serious allegations of sexual assault including rape committed against them by Mr Melville Robertson Roberts, a senior official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The Gambia.
The Attorney General takes seriously these allegations and hereby assures the complainants and the general public that the allegations will be treated with the seriousness they deserve and will be referred to The Gambia Police Force for immediate and urgent criminal investigations. The complainants are hereby requested to contact The Gambia Police Force or the Ministry of Justice on (+220)2223616/7674795 or mnjobe06@hotmail.com/jengbafou@gmail.com, and extend full cooperation to the police in the conduct of these investigations.
Meanwhile, the Attorney General also wishes to clarify that the initiation of criminal investigations into these allegations does not in any way suggest the guilt of Mr Roberts who shall continue to benefit from the presumption of innocence until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.
Abubacarr M. Tambadou
Attorney General & Minister of Justice
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