Justice Edrissa Fafa Mba’i of the high court in Banjul yesterday ordered the Inspector General of Police to look into the conduct of two police officers, Pa Amadou Sowe, station officer and Inspector Matarr Sanyang of the Kotu Police Station.
Justice Mba’i also asked the IGP to look into the conduct of any other officer(s) that might be found wanting in releasing a defendant, Alfina Tamba, to escape from the jurisdiction.
The judge said this was contrary to the expressed orders of the court dated 5th July 2012, and asked the IGP to take appropriate and necessary disciplinary action to restore public confidence in the Gambia police force.
Justice Mba’i in his ruling stated that counsel for the defendant made an application for the defendant, Alfina Tamba, to be arrested and brought before the court, and to provide good and sufficient security for her appearance pending the determination of the suit.
He added that the defendant was arrested and deposited at the Kotu Police Station, together with the warrant and court order.
In spite of the court order and the amount involved, the police at Kotu police station allowed two women to post bail for the defendant with mere ID cards.
Consequently, both the station officer and Inspector Matarr Sanyang were ordered to come and explain why the order of the court was not followed.
The judge noted that, according to the SO, he was not on duty when the defendant was granted bail and that, in any case, he had instructed the Inspector not to grant bail to the defendant; and, that the police inspector acted contrary to the instructions.
However, even though the SO has the power to take disciplinary action against the police inspector, he did nothing, the judge further noted.
