22 UDP Supporters release on Bail, 12 Remains

The information reaching the Voice Newspaper has it that 22 opposition United Democratic Party militants were released Thursday on bail.  They were allegedly part of the May 9, 2016 protesters.  Twelve of the 36 people arrested on the protest ground still remain in custody.

The 22 people were released shortly after they were summoned to the office of the inspector general of police, Yakuba Sonko, for a briefing. 

The 22 people that  are release are Mustapha Ceesay, Tallinding, Pa Landing Jobe Tallinding, Lamin FM Marego Sanchaba Touba, LAMIN Sey Bundung, Junkung Jabi Niumi Bakadage, Mbemba Jawneh Niani Kunting, Sajo Ceesay Sololo, Bakakary Cham Kundung Numukunda Kiang, Babanding Yabo Kiang, Babucarr Thomas Tujereng, Sheriff Jobe, Bataling, Malang Sajo Mandinaring, Omar Sonko Bakoteh, Abdou Chateh Brikama Jinda, Musa Marong Mariama Kunda, Nyaka Kurubally Sanchaba Sulayjobe, Momodou Dampha Brikama, Bakary Jammeh Wilingara, Sulayman tanjeh, and Bakary Gassama.     

Source said the briefing was to warn them not to be part of any protest again and that the case is not finished as the police are still investigating the matter.  They were subsequently asked to sign a letter which content was never read out to them.

All the 36 alleged porters were detained at Mansakonko prison.  Our source said they were all called out of their prison rooms on Thursday morning but eventually the 12 were returned to their cells while the 22 transported to the Police headquarters in Banjul where they were briefed in the IGP’s office before been released.

The opposition UDP had claimed that the state security agents had arrested over 36 of their members on May 9, 2016.

Source said after the addressing IGP left where Superintendant Almamo Manga, and deputy IGP Sowe.  

The 12 that still remanded are Bakary Marong Brikama, Alagie Saidykhan Bakau, Solo Kuruma Sandou Darsilami, Kemo Touray Brikama, Muhammed Sinyateh, Lamin Sajo, Momodou Sarr, Jereh Fatty, Alkali Sanneh, Lamin Dampha, Tombong Njie, and Sherifo Suno.

author:  Mafugi Ceesay