The
National Assembly Members yesterday moved a motion without notice to solicit
the approval of the National Assembly to expel Hon. Demba B.T. Sambou, National
Assembly Member for Niani Constituency.
Moving
the motion before lawmakers was Hon. Abdoulie Jawla, National Assembly Member
for Sandu Constituency, who said Hon. Sambou as a member of the National
Assembly of the Republic of The Gambia participated along with another member
of the National Assembly at an International Legislative Conference in the
United States of America from 7 to 11 August 2016.
The
duo participated at this programme as voluntary members of the National
Conference of State Legislators (NCSL) and their travel expenses, participation
fees and accommodation were borne by themselves.
“They
were issued US entry visas from Banjul for one month and at the end of the
conference he (Hon. Sambou) failed to return as scheduled, whilst his colleague
has since returned and resumed duty,” he stated.
The
clerk of the National Assembly took precautionary administrative measures to
safeguard and protect the interest, dignity and integrity of the House in a
letter to the Ag. Hon. Speaker on this matter dated 29 August 2016.
Hon.
Jawla further said the person in question was copied with the said letter,
which he received but still failed to heed the warning.
The
said letter read as follows: “The Hon. Member has recklessly abandoned his duty
and office. He has breached his rights and privileges as prescribed in section
(112) (a) and (b) of the 1997 Constitution of the Republic.
“His
actions are tantamount to contempt of the National Assembly, an affront to the
dignity, integrity, honour and privileges accorded to Members of the National
Assembly.
“This
is also an affront and disgrace to the sovereign people of the Republic; in
particular, the Constituency of Niani; who trusted and voted him on an
independent ticket to the National Assembly.
“He
unceremoniously and without regard to conscience and dignity, abandoned the
sovereign people of his constituency by falling to return.”
Hon.
Jawla said that misdemeanor or wrongdoings are always a phenomenon in society;
but society should also be able to put in place measures and mechanisms that
would appropriately sanction and punish such misdemeanors.
“If
we cannot regulate our own affairs; if we cannot discipline our members and if
we cannot frown on the misconduct of any of our membership; then let us not expect
anybody to respect us, nor to take us for our words.”
Accordingly
and in pursuance of the provisions of the Standing Orders 26 “a motion may be
made without notice”.
Section
110 of the 1997 Constitution defined contempt of the National Assembly as: “Any
Act or omission which obstructs or impedes the National Assembly in performance
of its functions or which obstructs or impedes any member or officer of the
National Assembly in the discharge of his or her duties or affronts the dignity
of the National Assembly shall be a contempt of the National Assembly and, in
addition to any liability in respect thereof under the criminal law, the
offender shall be liable to reprimand or admonition by the National Assembly,
suspension or expulsion from the National Assembly.”
The
National Assembly Members finally expelled Hon. Demba B.T. Sambou from being a
Member of the National Assembly with immediate effect.
