Presidential adviser Mai Ahmed Fatty has called for swift and thorough investigations into allegations of rape against Melville Roberts, a senior official working at the Foreign Ministry
On his official facebook page on Monday, Fatty said he “vehemently condemn rape, sexual abuse and perpetrators of rape”.
“Allegations of rape against individuals and public officials must be thoroughly investigated, and where proven, swift prosecution must be effected. Further, a plethora of serious allegations trending on social media, are being made against Melville (Roberts)… who is a senior government functionary, and former president Jammeh,” said Fatty.
“These very serious allegations and others must be aggressively pursued, without prejudice to presumption of innocence and due process. We assure that there will be prosecution upon evidence, and there will be no hiding place in The Gambia for rape or attempted rape.
Meanwhile, on Monday the Justice Ministry has issued a statement informing the public that it has open a criminal investigations into Melville’s rape allegations.
But Melville is not the only person facing allegations of rape. Country’s former president Yahya Jammeh has also been accused by several girls of rape.
“Rapists belong in prison. We must protect the vulnerable and defend the integrity of their persons. I am gravely concerned beyond description. Rape leaves a victim with a life time of trauma and scars, particularly girls and young women. Parliament must legislate mandatory life sentence with hard labour for proven rapists,” said Fatty.