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| Magistrate Ebrima Jaiteh |
As it the norm, neither the notorious National Intelligence Agency nor the police is able to say why Magistrate Jaiteh is being held or why he's being held in custody well beyond the 72 hours prescribed by law.
Although the magistrate has been on the bench for a relatively short period of time, he has handled very high profile and politically sensitive cases in which the dictatorial regime of Yaya Jammeh had interest in, and the outcome of which the regime may have tried to influence.
Fortunately for the rule of law, the regime has been unsuccessful in its effort because Magistrate Jaiteh had ruled in favor of the accused and against the dictatorship.
Two other controversial and highly politically-charged cases were also handled by the young lawyer whose display of independence and incorruptibility was beginning to be a source of great displeasure to a regime that has perfected the use of the judiciary as an instrument of repression by sending enemies - both real and perceived - to prison on trumped-up charges.
One case involved two senior Gambia Ports Authority managers charged with economic crime and negligence of duty and the other involved a University lecturer and consultant engaged in research who was employing survey material the regime deemed subversive.
However, in both instances, all of the accused were acquitted and discharged by Magistrate Jaiteh. We believe it the cumulative effect of all of these decisions that went against the desired outcome and interest of the regime, culminating in the magistrate's arrest. He has now been held without charge for more than the 72 hours contrary to what's prescribed by law.
Therefore, we say: FREE Magistrate Ebrma Jaiteh NOW
