The Right to Know (R2K) Gambia welcomes the commitment made to the country, by the Minister of Justice, Tambadou, to investigate the pardoning of Mr. Sandaker. In a statement released 25th August, 2018, the Minister pledged to clear up the controversial decision by the President to pardon Mr. Svein Sandaker, a Norwegian, who was convicted by Gambian courts for paedophilia.
Minister Tambadou said: "I will to the bottom of the matter and find out how the MoJ came to be associated with the purported conflicting statements released on our twitter page."
Although the statement of the Minister is a positive undertaking, R2K still remains gravely concerned about this unfortunate incident. We demand answers to fundamental questions, as to how any person could be pardoned without the knowledge of the Justice Minister who chairs the Prerogative of Mercy Committee.
We find it curious that the announcement of the pardons were done through the twitter handle of the MoJ, yet the Minister has vehemently denied having any prior knowledge of these developments. We find this to be very concerning, as it does not bode well for the principles of law and good governance in our new found democracy.
We look forward to receiving further information as to when this investigation will commence, who will be leading it, and whether it will be an open and transparent process.
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