By Tabora Bojang
The Gambia government has finally broken silence on the ongoing legal wrangling between it and the Global Hearts of Medical Missions whose coordinator Nenneh Freda Gomez was arrested by the police as row over the ownership of a property previously occupied by the police anti-crime unit continues.
Mrs Gomez and one Lamin Sey, a staff of the organization, have been detained at a police station since Friday, after being arrested while visiting the said property which the courts ruled rightfully belongs to the group they are representing, the GHOMM.
Following their latest arrest and subsequent detention, Gambians from all walks of life condemned the police action and called for their release.
Mrs Gomez was arraigned before the Brusubi Magistrates Court yesterday morning charged with 3 counts of conspiracy to commit felony, idle and disorderly and obstructing a police officer in the execution of his duties.
She was represented by lawyers Salieu Taal and Yasin Senghore while Superintendent M Jarju represented the police.
After the charge was read in court, lawyers for the accused persons raised a preliminary objection on charges proffered against their clients. The lawyers urged the court to strike out the case citing its lack of merit. After hearing from both sides, Principal Magistrate Muhammed Krubally adjourned the case to January 3rd 2022 for a judgment.
However last night, the Ministry of Justice issued a statement claiming the land in question was given to the organisation by former president Jammeh in 2007 without following due process, who also went on to issue an executive directive for a lease to be issued to the Global Hearts of Medical Missions within the Tourism Development Area.
The full statement is published on page 6.
