SULAYMAN SAMBA RELEASED AFTER 7 DAYS IN DETENTION

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By Mustapha Jallow

The former Secretary General, Head of the Civil Service and Minister for Presidential Affairs, under the regime of President Yaya Sulayman SambaJammeh, has finally been released on Thursday, 28 July 2016, after having been held for 7 days at the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) headquarters in Banjul.

Mr. Sulayman Samba was arrested and detained on the day when the 22nd anniversary of the 22 July 1994 military takeover of government was being celebrated after he received a call from an unknown caller asking him to go to Banjul and which he did.

When this reporter visited the home of the former Secretary General on Saturday, 30 July, a close family source confirmed that he was released but is in his house resting.

When asked what was the reason for his arrest and whether he was charged, the source said “What I know or can say as at now is that he has been released from custody and he is well and safe.’’

Mr Samba was appointed as Secretary General, Head of the Civil Service and Minister for Presidential Affairs on 23 November, 2015 and removed from the cabinet on 30 June 2016. He has thus been in this position for 221 days before he was relieved of his duties by the president.