It is difficult not to feel sorry for the Family members of the embattled Finance Director of the National Intelligence Agency, Mr. Bakary Gassama, who has been in detention since on the 13th of May 2008. In today’s edition they have renewed their appeal for his release.

Speaking to our reporter recently, a brother to Mr. Gassama expressed the family’s total frustration and concern over the continued detention of Mr. Gassama, and seriously appealed to President Jammeh to intervene to have him released.

‘We are appealing to the President to forgive him for whatever he might have done,” he said in a pleading tone of voice. “We are so disturbed by continued detention,” he added.

It must be a terribly trying time for the family who must wonder where their loved one is and pray for his safe return every day.

Mr. Gassama was arraigned at the Banjul Magistrates’ Court on a charge of abuse of office, but he was discharged on the 3rd of December by the trial magistrate, Magistrate Edrisa Mbai, but was re-arrested. If he has committed a crime then he should be tried before a court of law. If he is innocent then he must be released. We have a judiciary and a court system in this country and we must use them effectively at all times. Nobody should be in detention unless they have committed a crime. The family has appealed to the president to intervene. We also call for whoever has knowledge of this case to also intervene and either charge the man or release him.

“To no one will we sell, to no one will we deny, or delay, right or justice.”

Magna Carta