The ministry of justice has issued a press release on Wednesday refuting claims that the members of the Gambia Democratic Congress who were charged with assault, among others, were acquitted by the Basse Magistrate Court.
The ministry said the police withdrew the charges against the GDC 4 on account of insufficient evidence as advised by the Attorney General’s office.
Below is the entire press release:
The Ministry of Justice wishes to clarify inaccurate reports in the media that the GDC member for Jimara Constituency Honourable Alhaji Sowe was acquitted and discharged by the Basse Magistrates Court, thereby giving the impression that Honourable Sowe was being prosecuted by the State. This is inaccurate.
Following police investigations into the violence that erupted in Jimara constituency during the local government elections, the Ministry advised that there was insufficient evidence to prosecute Honourable Sowe.
Consequently, the charges against him were withdrawn by the Police and Honourable Sowe was accordingly discharged by the Court.
The Ministry assures the general public that the days of politically motivated prosecutions in The Gambia are over and that the Government of His Excellency President Adama Barrow is committed to upholding the rule of law and the democratic and fundamental human rights of every Gambian irrespective of their political or other orientation.
Furthermore, the Ministry wishes to encourage media practitioners and commentators on judicial matters to take advantage of the Ministry’s open door policy to seek confirmation of their facts before publications or commentary.
Ministry of Justice
Comments are closed.