FORMER NIA BOSS CHARGED WITH KILLING SOLO SANDENG

By Baba Sillah Former NIA Director General Yankuba and eight other senior NIA officials have all denied responsibility for the death of Solo Sandeng, an opposition activist who died while in their custody last year. Mr Badjie and Co. who were arrested by the Agency which is now renamed as State Intelligence Services [SIS] were yesterday dragged to a Magistrates Court in Banjul and charged with murder of late Solo. The other officials charged with him are Louise Gomez, his deputy, Saikou Omar Jeng, director of operations, Haruna Suso, Yusupha Jammeh, Lamin Lang Sanyang, Tamba Masireh, Lamin Darboe and Babucarr Sallah. They are alleged to have conspired among themselves and took part in the murder of Mr Solo Sandeng. According to the police investigation contained in the bill of indictment, the incident occurred on April 15, last year at the NIA office in Banjul. Mr Badgie and his members denied any wrong doing. Police prosecutor, Alpha Badgie who appeared for the Inspector General of Police appealed to the court to transfer the matter to the High Court since the lower court lacked the jurisdiction to try the accused persons on charges of murder, which is a capital offence. Prosecutor Badgie contended that his office has received practice direction from the Chief Justice that all murder cases should be referred to the High Court. Prosecutor Badgie further prayed to the court to remand the accused persons pending the hearing of the matter at the superior court. The presiding Magistrate Isatou Janneh-Njie accordingly referred the matter to the High Court and ordered for the remand of the accused persons. Solo Sandeng was the youth leader of the Opposition United Democratic Party [UDP]. He was arrested and allegedly tortured to death while he was in NIA custody after he staged a peaceful protest for electoral reform.]]>