(JollofNews) – The General Public is hereby informed that His Excellency, President Adama Barrow has accepted an appeal from the community of Faraba for the discontinuance of the prosecution of the officers of the Police Intervention Unit as well as the civilians standing trial for their role(s) in the unfortunate Faraba Banta incident in June 2018.
The Community, through the Alkalo of the village, Mr. Omar Kujabi, wrote a letter to the President, accompanied by a sworn affidavit requesting, among other things, for the withdrawal of criminal charges in the matter ‘‘to promote true reconciliation’’, peace, and stability in the village.
Additionally, the community stated that they were satisfied and appreciative of the responsible leadership demonstrated and acts of compassion that His Excellency, President Adama Barrow and his government had undertaken after the incident, such as the visit by the President to the community in the immediate aftermath of the incident, the setting up of a commission of inquiry and appointment of a coroner as well as his decision to act on the recommendations of the investigative commission, among other gestures.
Based on the foregoing, the president has accordingly accepted to respect and grant the wishes of the community, particularly families of the victims, to immediately withdraw all the charges against the PIU officers and civilian perpetrators concerned.
By the same token, His Excellency, the President has also accepted to lift the suspension meted out on the Director of Geology Department and the Executive Director of National Environment Agency.
Hello Gambians. Was it President Adama Barrow who brought charges against those before the Court (s) due to the incident at Faraba? In any event, no president should be given the power to abrogate, nullify and or terminate a legal process that has not come to a conclusion. Yes, Presidents have Pardon Power, but not absolute power over the Judiciary. The Judiciary is a Co-equal branch of the “three legged branches” of our modern Democratic Dispensation. Therefore, such acts and behavior even if the community should ask the president to intervene, should be done by the designated branch, that is, the Judiciary not the Executive branch of the Presidency. It is this drip, drip strangulation of the “Separation of Powers” that ultimately becomes a flood of Despotism and Repugnant Acts of Corruption and Unconstitutional Practices. Adama Barrow should delibrate carefully on matters as serious as this and thoughtfully consult with those who are designated to administer or manage those Portfolios carry out or implement the decision as prescribed by the Constitution and if the Constitution fails to address the matter, Legal precedent should be the guide. No President is More than the Sum Total of the other two Branches, the Legislative and the Judiciary. Endeavor to make sure that they do their work for all Citizens.
Demonstration of highest level of incompetence by the Barrow government. The man must not go beyond his three-year agreement with his coalition partners.
Morro
“peace, and stability”
These are the 2 key words for me in this article.
It sounds like the Mafia have moved in or some form of gangsters are now running Faraba Banta, who would gain from the criminal charges being dropped? I’m sure the villagers would like to see justice served, for their loved ones. has the Alkalo being pressured, threatened or bought? Only time will tell.
As for Dr Barrow, this is another spineless move, the law should have run it’s full course, then made public.
These were murder charges, not traffic violations or petty charges.