After nine days in detention, renowned Islamic scholar and imam, Ba Kawsu Fofana of Sanchaba Sulay Jobe has been released without any charges against him, his family has confirmed to The Point.
Picked up by men in plainclothes since Thursday 31 May 2012 in Brikama, and taken to the National Intelligence Agency office in Banjul, according to the family, Ba Kawsu was released on Friday afternoon.
His release comes a few days after his daughter Kadijatou Fofana was reported dead after a cement block fell on her, while she was sleeping at home.
Though no reason for his arrest was given, the Sanchaba Sulay Jobe-based imam has recently engaged in trading words with Imam Abdoulai Fatty of the State House Mosque in Banjul.
When news of his release broke, hundreds of people including his students, converged at his house to sympathize with him.
Meanwhile, the Gambian authorities have earlier denied holding Ba Kawsu or having any knowledge of his whereabouts.
