Dismissed Daily Observer MD Trying To Enter US

Tuesday, 22 January 2013 15:58

(JollofNews) – Pa Malick Faye, the man behind the disappearance and possible death of journalist Chief Ebrima Manneh, has fled Gambia.

He is said to be trying to enter the United States where he wants to seek asylum.

Mr Faye is apparently wanted by President Yahya Jammeh’s notorious National Intelligence (NIA), who are reported to be investigating corruption allegations at the Observer Company, publisher of the Daily Observer newspaper, the mouthpiece of the Jammeh administration.

Ironically, as MD of the company, Faye worked closely with the very same NIAs to subject scores of his own colleagues to troubles in the hands of the Gambian government. That is why many people fear that if he finds his way into the US, he may seek protection and enjoy the freedom he helped deny many innocent Gambians in connivance with the increasingly alienated Jammeh government.

Sources in Gambia have corroborated earlier reports that at least three senior members of Faye’s administration as Observer MD were recently detained, including Marketing Manager Amie Manka, and accountant Yasin Faal.

Also reportedly detained is the company’s procurement officer, James Campbell.

But all three officials were later released on bail, pending investigation, sources added.

Other sources told JollofNews that Mr Faye may have anticipated a possible arrest following his ignominious dismissal from the company which forced him to flee the country.

He is reported to be in the capital of neighbouring Senegal, Dakar.

The former reporter turned Managing Director has been accused by his former colleagues for causing the downfall of many people, both in government and at the pro-government Daily Observer newspaper. But he is particularly notorious for plotting with Dr Saja Taal, a former MD of the Observer Company, and the late Director General of the Gambia Radio and Television Services (GRTS), Momodou Sanyang, to implicating Journalist Chief Manneh.

Then a burden editor, Manneh was accused of sabotaging Yahya Jammeh’s government, and he was detained by the NIAs since 2006.

Up to now no one knows his correct fate.

The government continues to deny knowing anything about him, in the face of global pressure, and even though colleagues of the disappeared journalists have named some of the NIA agents who arrested him in their presence at the Daily Observer offices in Bakau.

Faye is the only living person who could directly account for Manneh’s situation outside the government.
Written by JollofNews