By Alagie Manneh
The chief executive officer of the Banjul City Council, Mustapha Batchilly has said the recent arrest warrant issued against him by the office of the Ombudsman was not necessary.
The warrant was reportedly issued on Monday allegedly after Batchilly, “failed to appear before the Ombudsman after many invitations.”
According to Ombudsman’s spokesman Juma Camara, the CEO was summoned “in connection with a number of complaints” filed at the Ombudsman’s office. He did not give specific details.
“We could not proceed with the investigations as a result of his continuous failure to come forward despite many summons and therefore, it became necessary for the Ombudsman to issue a warrant to the IGP to effect his arrest and bring him to the Office of the Ombudsman,” Mr Camara told The Standard.
According to PRO Camara, Mr Batchilly has finally turned up to answer to the Ombudsman.
He said the Ombudsman has a mandate to dispense administrative justice and all public officers are urged to support in the conduct of speedy and impartial investigations of all complaints lodged at the office.
“The Ombudsman is here for all members of the public and will continue to execute its mandate undeterred,” the spokesperson assured.
“We want to make it clear that the office of the Ombudsman is a very important institution which must be accorded its due respect in its work and unnecessary delays will not be entertained”, Camara added.
Contacted for comments, Mr Batchily told The Standard it is not true that he had refused to comply with orders of the Ombudsman.
“I have been going there several times and they wouldn’t tell me anything. I don’t think an arrest warrant was necessary,” he stated.
The CEO said he did report there and discussions were held and the issue is now resolved.
