By Mustapha Jallow
The convicted former Minister of Regional Government, Lands and Traditional Rulers under the regime of President Yaya Jammeh, has been been discharged from hospital and returned to Mile Two since on 5 June 2016, according to a close source.
Mr. Lamin Waa Juwara, who is currently serving a six months jail term, has spent 18 days at the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital (EFSTH). It was initially reported in the media that he was denied family visits but which was later allowed.
According to Waa Juwara’s two wives, Mrs. Kaddy Juwara and Soma Jallow-Juwara, they received the information that their husband would be discharged and returned to prison.
“We do not really want him to go back to the prison because of his illness as he gets regular attacks and we are not pleased that he is to be returned to the prison,” said one of them.
It was reported that the 73 year old, who is said to be hypertensive, was admitted at the EFSTH in Banjul on 18 June 2016 after an attack in the prison. He was placed under the guard of armed soldiers and prison wardens. He was first taken to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) where he spent three days before he was transferred to a private ward.
The former minister and leader of the National Democratic Action Movement (NDAM) was found guilty for negligence of official duty and sentenced to 6 months imprisonment without hard labour by Principal magistrate Omar Cham of the Banjul Magistrates’ Court on 18th April, 2016.
On 11 May, 2015, he was earlier acquitted and discharged on the ‘ abusive of office’ charge by the Brikama lower court.