In an open letter to the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, dated April 15, 2016, the Gambia Press Union has called for the discharge of Taranga FM Managing Director, Mr Alagie Abdoulie Ceesay.
The letter indicated GPU’s concern over the deteriorating state of health of Mr Alagie Ceesay. It noted that Mr Ceesay was kept incommunicado detention for twenty-nine days before he was arraigned in September, 2015, charged with sedition and false news; and for the past eight months has been undergoing trial at the High Court in Banjul.
The letter further indicated that on Monday April 11, Ceesay was hospitalised at the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital in Banjul and that even though his condition was critical he was taken back to the prison that evening.
On the following day, Tuesday, he was rushed again for treatment at the EFSTH where he’s still receiving treatment.
The letter asserted that Mr Ceesay has since Friday April 8, 2016, been denied access to visitors either at the hospital or at prison, in contravention of his right to access visitors as a remand prisoner.
The letter concluded thus: “Based on the foregoing, the Gambia Press Union executive board and the Ceesay family are deeply disturbed by his current health status. We are therefore calling on you Honourable Attorney General and Minister of Justice to order for charges against him to be dropped to enable him reunite with his family and regain his health. Section 85(1)(b) of the Constitution of the Republic of The Gambia has vested in you powers to instruct the Honourable Director of Public Prosecution to discontinue any trial and doing so in this case would be a great relief.”
