Modou Musa Sissawo, deputy police spokesperson has confirmed the arrest and detention of the human rights activist, saying: “Yes Madi Jobarteh is currently under police custody relative to his posts/comments he (Madi Jobarteh) made on social media. Details of this will be communicated accordingly," he posited. Sissawo couldn’t further provide details as to where Mr Jobarteh is currently detained or which his of comments leading to his arrest by the police.
It could be recalled that on Friday 6th October 2023, officers of the Gambia Police Force (GPF) in plain clothes visited the home of Madi Jobarteh with a view to arrest him. However, the officers left without arresting him due to his ill-health.
The Westminster Foundation representative on Friday wrote this on his Facebook after the police leave: “I received a call from the police headquarters saying they were inviting me to their office. I told them I cannot come because I am sick. So they said they will come to my house.”
“Four officers came in a numberless, glass tinted pickup truck. They said they were from the State Intelligence Unit (SIU) and Criminal Intelligence Unit (CIU). They said they wanted to question me about “some of my Facebook posts”. I asked them which of my posts in particular but they never identified them. I told them I am sick and I am not going since invitation is a choice, unless they arrest me.”
“After consulting their superiors they said they were asked to let me be since I am sick. But said when I get better I should report to the nearest police station or to their office.”
“I told them I will not hand myself over to any police station because I am not a criminal or a fugitive or under arrest, and therefore I will not report myself to any police station. I told them to call me if they need me. But bear in mind that I have a right and choice to accept or refuse an invitation. They have since left. So we will see what happens from here.”
“Rest assured that I am neither scared nor intimidated. I have not violated any laws of the Gambia. All my posts and comments on Facebook and everywhere else are within the limits of the Constitution.”
“I have always upheld and abided by the values and standards of decency, peace, non-violence and tolerance in my writings, speeches and conduct. Therefore there is absolutely no reason why I should be called by the police. If they disagree with my views they have the right to respond hence there’s no need for an invitation,” he postulated.
Madi Jobarteh also on Sunday wrote this: “Since this morning Police vehicles are loitering around my neighborhood and officers are walking up and down the street near my house. They are there purposely for me as my family and neighbors have identified the same vehicle that brought officers to my house on Friday. Earlier in the morning I saw a missed call from ASP Sulayman Gaye who had led officers to my house on Friday. I am neither a criminal nor a fugitive to warrant such harassment and intimidation.”
In another development, Alhagie Bora Sisawo, a host at Kerr Fatou who was detained by the police has been released on police bail.
Modou Musa Sissawo, deputy Police spokesperson, said: “Bora Sisawo, who was detained by the police over social media posts/comments, has been granted bail on October 9, 2023. Starting Wednesday, Bora will be required to report to the Kairaba Police Station as a condition of his bail.”
