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Amadou Samba denies drug allegations, Sues Freedom Newspaper
Wednesday, 01 September 2010 23:09
A close associate of Gambian President Yahya Jammeh has filed a lawsuit in a U.S court claiming the
independent Freedom online newspaper recently published articles that tarnished his reputation.Amadou Samba, a Gambian-based businessman, said allegations that he is under investigation for dealing in illicit drugs in the West African nation are unfounded and malicious.
“He [newspaper editor] has been defaming all the while, but I have been ignoring him. But, the last two articles, which I think he was not fair to me, is when he alleged [that] I was involved in a drug scandal, and that, two, I was involved in a coup [d’état] plot. It is my constitutional right to proceed because he is trying to defame me. I’m a businessman and it can send the wrong signal,” he said.
In a recent report, the newspaper said Samba and another businessman were under investigation in connection with a billion-dollar cocaine bust in The Gambia.
The drugs were allegedly found in a bunker, in Bonto village, on the outskirts of the capital, Banjul.
But, Samba denied ever dealing in drugs and challenged the newspaper to prove his guilt.
“He did it for the allegation sake. He has nothing to back it up. If he has anything to back it up, let him come up with it. It is as simple as that,” Samba said.
He also denied using the American judicial system to intimidate journalists, as well as the publisher of the online newspaper.
Samba also denied the newspaper’s allegation he was plotting to overthrow President Yahya Jammeh’s administration.Meanwhile, Pa Nderry Mbai, publisher of the Freedom newspaper, said the lawsuit is aimed at crippling his online newspaper. He vowed not to be silenced by the Gambian government.
“We never defamed Amadou Samba. Our stories were reported in good faith without malice. Mr. Samba is a public figure and his life is of interest to the Gambian public, including the international community. Here is a guy who is very close to President Jammeh and, if it is alleged that he has been invited for questioning by the National Drug Enforcement Agency, our job is to investigate the story,” Mbai said.
Source: VOA
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Comments
God forbid that i denounce Mafugi. I would rather say to him to maximise the use of his freedom. U guys can insult all u want. I don't have any problem with u or Mafugi. U are entitle to only your keyboard, your brain, your insults n 1000 byte space. Mafugi is entitle to his keyboard, his opinion, n 1000 byte of space. I am not the referee or the judge. So far, i have been enjoying your insults. A reminder, "What goes around, comes around"
Honestly speaking, i don't know. I am as baffled as everyone who asks the question. I do however want to look forward as the future looks bright..hopefully 1 day we may get some answers.
He can express his feelings without using insults.
Coming to you point about me not condemning Mafugi, i have this 4 u: It will be over my dead body. Just like u, Mafugi is entitled to his opinion. U are entitled to your insults. As far as i know, no one told u to stop insulting me. I will never tell Mafugi to stop expressing himself.
Let's focus on the case of Koro Ceesay, you want to tell me he doesn't know who did it? Well, one thing the whole of Gambia knows is that Edward Singhateh is part of it; now what is preventing jammeh from taking action if he really wants justice, as you are desprately trying to convince Gambians to beleive, a work that the devil himself will not venture on?
Pa Pierre, Can you answer these points fairly and staright foward?
Just to give u the benefit of the doubt, that same Bajaw's comment indicated that the suspected torturers of Mr Jarju were tried and punished accordingly... could you say the same for the death of the only two people you mentioned who were murdered under Jammeh's regime? Remember Jammeh's remark about the killing of Hydara? His response to innocents journalists who were calling for justice for their slain colleague?
Have you condemned Jammeh for his clear refusal to act on the case of Hydara...
Now, we all know that Jammeh, and none else, ordered the murder of Hydara...
I think what you mate mafugi said sometime here, pleaseS you, and instead of denouncing such nonsenses, you are praising it. I am seeing some pattern here, as mr Lamin once explained, the reasons about Yahya irratic and ruthless behaviour in the provinces. I believe the issue for many here is to bring back rule of law in Gambia. I can see that, it another agenda for you and your "mates" Mafugi as he describe Fatou Mass Jobe as BANJUL OPPORTUNIST. Credit to yahya that he can smell out such hypocrite people like you and likes. I said this with heavy heart. I think Badara should not even bother about your hypocritical comment.
This treachery & oppression of Saddam, like yaya today, gave the US & UK some opportunity to find/invent excuses/reasons to wage war in Iraq. Had it not been the murders & depositions of Saddam, like yaya, Iraq today would be in peace. There were judicious dispensations under the PPP administrations but this is untrue for Gambia under yaya jammeh. You think yaya’s brave??? Let me remind you of how mighty Saddam resorted to borrowing underground, for it will be pure guessing to know what yaya will do when it’s his turn! Mr Jarju was tortured but someone culpable was prosecuted & sentenced & still serving jail. Whoever, if any, have even been arrested much more charged for torturing Ebrima Barry to death & the rape of the female student, reasons which gave rise to the April 2000 student demonstrations, for example as you have ever stated here before that people were indeed “arrested & justice taking its course”?
Comment
Pierre, here I remind you, lest you forgot, Saddam ruled Iraq for much longer with same barbaric instincts reminiscence of yaya’s Gambia today; & there were more infrastructural developments in Iraq, incomparable to Gambia today.
I think you know those who preach tribalism here. I think you and your mate Mafugi shared lot in common except support for Jammeh.Now
I can see yo dislike for Jawara and I predict will also start with Jammeh too soon.
I think you guys are in this for wrongs reasons and is always expose unknowingly on yo comments my brother.
U are the 1st person who insulted me,my tribe, culture n worst of all my family. I take it as; your way of expressing disagreement with me. I can't be angry if that is the only way u can tell me u disagree with me. God bless U. I was surprised that u could not stomach Mafugi's comment about the wollof. I realised that those who have been insulting me are wolof or serer yet they were angry at Mafugi's comment. U guys don't know that what goes around comes around.
Let it be know to u n your allies that i don't yield to insults or threats. U cannot scare me to stop using this forum. U want Jammeh to give u freedom n yet u want to take my freedom. U really have to be ashame to say no 1 insulted me when u started the whole thing.
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