By Kebba Jeffang The Alkalo of Sambouya in Kombo South District, West Coast Region Mr. Edrisa Touray and eleven others from different communities in the same district were released on Tuesday, January 27, 2015 at the Brikama Magistrates’ Court after being detained for six days at various police stations. Foroyaa gathered this information when this reporter visited the affected families in Sambouya where the Alkalo was arrested and Gunjur where seven people including a female were also arrested. The reliable source also said some people from Banyaka were arrested too. At Sambouya, the released Alkalo was not met. A family member however confirmed that the Alkalo was released on Tuesday afternoon after spending six days in police custody. At Guntur, where three family members were arrested in connection with the Sambouya case including a female, the family head, Momodou Bajo said, “Yes we were arrested and detained until our seventh day when we were released. I and my sister were called at Gunjur police station on Wednesday 21st January, 2015. A senior police officer told us that there is a document from the top alleging that we have conspired to sell some body’s land. He asked me whether it is true. I replied by asking him to indicate the owner of the land we sold but he insisted that I should simply answer yes or no. I then said no, we didn’t conspire to do any wrong.” Mr. Bajo added that they were taken from Gunjur police station to Brikama where no one among them was asked to say anything until on Tuesday when they were taken to court. He said they didn’t take their pleas but were granted bail on the condition that each should be bailed by two people with the bail bond of One Hundred Thousand dalasi (D100.000.00) each with ID Cards. Mr. Kutubo Bajo who is of the same parents with Momodou Bajo also said his arrest came when he visited his relatives at Gunjur police station after he heard their arrest. He confirmed that they are eleven in number, seven from Gunjur including a woman, the Alkalo of Sambouya and some were from Banyaka village, all in the same district. When contacted to confirm what the charge was, police spokesperson A.S.P David Kujabie said he was yet to know what the charge is. The reporter then contacted the counsel for the arrested persons, Lawyer Borry S. Touray who confirmed that his clients were charged but will take their plea on Thursday, 5th February, 2015. This reporter will make effort to secure the charge sheet for publication.]]>
