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Two Gambian PIU officers get death for torture
Monday, 30 May 2011 23:49
(Jollofnews) - Two police officers of the Gambia’s Police Intervention Unit (PIU) were on Monday sentenced to death by
Justice Emmanuel Nkea of the Basse High Court for torturing to death one Demba Sibey of Numuyel.The two accused, Bakary Demba and Modou Colley, had pleaded not guilty to charges of murdering the victim on January 27 in the Numuyel village 280km from Banjul.
"As law enforcement officers, you should lead by example and not take the law into your own hands," Judge Emmanuel Nkea was quoted by AFP.
"The constitution of this country has to be respected by all and sundry. Having been convinced that the prosecution has proved its case against the accused persons, I would not hesitate to sentence you to death," he added.
The case came as five officers of the country’s anti-drug agency were also facing trial on charges of torturing a 29-year-old man to death during a raid on his house.
Written by Jollofnews Reporter
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Comments
Iam fully with you here, the officer commanding that station should have to be charge too because he kept watching under his command till the young man loosed his life in the hands of semi educated officers of our police!
Really, the officer commanding that station has to receive a strong warning letter from the Inspector General of Police the Niuminka Boy.
In the service of SeneGamBissau I remain
These untrained and barely educated youth who are being drafted into the security forces can be found manning the seemingly endless check points from Banjul to Basse and all over Kombo.
This is Yaya Jammeh's solution for youth unemployment as well as a source of unpaid farm labor on his various farms.
How much more shall we tolerate this state of affairs?
We were so loving, caring and so tolerant to each other until.......
Until all those who actually committed terrible crimes against our people,such as Captain Solo Bojang & his men,who kidnapped & tortured the most vulnerable people in the society during the witch hunting exercise,and those who either sanctioned such exercises or failed to stop it (thus abandonning their constitutional duty)are apprehended,tri ed and punished,justic e would not have been done to the victims,in particular, and the nation as a whole.
It is our duty,all of us,to ensure that the perpetrators of these crimes do not escape justice,no matter how long it is going to take.
No amount of 'development projects' can wash away these disgraceful,sha meful & criminal acts.
That a man can be tortured to death in a police station without any intervention from the other officers,sugges ts that the practice is regular.(atleast,at this particular station)
Hence,the divisional commissioner/commander should shoulder some responsibility for what's happened under his/her watch.
More needs to be done to eradicate torture and abuse of office,if this is not to be seen as as mere cheap propaganda by the regime before elections.
First,out of the blue,Yaya Jammeh ordered the dismantling of checkpoints across the country,as if he has suddenly become aware of their existence,and 'lo and behold:,ALL PRAISE TO THE CARING LEADER'
Now,the courts (Nigerian judges) are actually sentencing agents of the regime for crimes they committed against the citizens and I wouldn't be surprised if these become the most reported news items by the state and other 'private' media.
The fact that officers of another agency(NDEA) were also facing trial for torture does raise the question of the scope of torture in the country and the onus of responsibility.
Certainly,those who actually carried out the torture should be punished but what about those who ordered it or simply paid a blind eye to it?
Comment
Truth eventually catches up with all & sundry; cases of blatant disregard to innocent lives & properties costs aggressors dearly; this includes ‘bleeding-Gambia’ of late; the fact of the matter’s the selective prosecutions of the “small-criminals” whilst the big fish/es get shelled; BUT for how long...? All are reminded, such rulings are TIMED, for political gains in regions; it’s another election year; otherwise, I heard of this case long time ago, when feet were dragged for prosecution; however, never TOO late.
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