By Mustapha Jallow
Mr. Seedy Jaiteh, the Human Resource Director of Gamcel, is still languishing at Mile Two prison for 225 days without charge, trial or access to his family.
A close family source explained since Mr. Jaiteh was transferred to Mile Two prison on 3 September 2014 they have been denied access to their loved one. The source further indicated that they are not aware of any charge preferred against him.
“We have attempted on several occasions to have access to him at the prison but without success. The family was even expecting his release when it was announced last year that some detainees and convicted prisoners were granted presidential pardon but to our disappointment,” revealed the source.
It was reported that Mr. Jaiteh was picked up at his home in Manjai Kunda, apparently by operatives of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), on 27 August 2014 and then whisked away in a numberless vehicle with tinted glasses. His family went searching for him at different detention centres such as the NIA, Police Headquarters, NDEA Holgam centre at Kanifing South and other nearby police stations but in vain. He was finally traced at the NIA in Banjul where the family members were initially allowed to be taking food to him but this lasted for only few days.
Mr. Jaiteh continuous detention is in gross violation of section 19 of the 1997 Constitution of the Second Republic which states that “Any person who is arrested or detained… who is not released, shall be brought without undue delay before a court of law and, in any event, within 72 hours.”
