The brutality that men, who were later identified as police officers, delivered to the JollofNews editor-in-chief last Monday conjures up the dark days of the dictatorship when journalists were being hunted down like wild animals.
The unwarranted attack on editor Momodou Justice Darboe at the Banjul Magistrates’ Court speaks to the apparent underwhelming gains of the Gambia’s security sector reform project.
But this is not the time to fret about this administration’s failure to deliver a security sector that would operate within the ambit of the law.
Rather, this is the time to remind the men and women in uniform that they have no business in tormenting the people they are paid and maintained to protect.
Evidently, no court staff or police officer is mandated to police the legitimate actions of journalists outside the courtroom. How many times did the police drag people to court on allegations of “obstructing police officers in due execution of their duties” in this country?
Why should it be convenient for every Ma-Demba, Makumba and Jonfolo to obstruct journalists in due execution of their duties?
Nobody, except the courts, has the right to bar journalists from taking photos of suspects and parties to the case outside the courtroom. Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Abdoulie Sanneh, needs no enlightenment for this. But he erred in judgement and blundered in action when he unleashed aggressive men on Mr. Darboe. His aim for Darboe’s upper body parts and threat of more physical abuse are unbecoming of a man of his station.
Nobody deserves to be subjected to harassment and brute force for just doing his/her job.
The police force is expected to be an institution that citizens can trust and rely on for their protection. The police should not be seen to be violators of the laws that they are paid to enforce. They should earn the trust and confidence of those they serve.
A senior prosecutor should know better that he who alleges must prove and since he accused Darboe of taking people’s pictures without their consent, he must provide proof. Jumping into conclusion and issuing threats to Darboe are unbecoming of a man that we were told has been prosecuting cases for the police for over three decades now.
How about marching Darboe in the streets of Banjul in handcuffs and subsequently detaining him in a urine-stench cell for more than five hours for doing his work?
This smacks of a senior police officer overreach. It’s also a stark reminder that it’s still a work in progress for journalists in The Gambia to assert themselves and practice their profession without fear.
