Will Diedrich a German be expelled from the Gambia?

By Sailu Bah Reports have it that a German national, Bern Georg Diedrich, a successful plaintiff in a land dispute is to be expelled from the Gambia by the Gambia Immigration authorities. Diedrich who was evicted from his land by an executive order has been held by the Immigration at Tanji on Wednesday 14^th January 2015. According to sources he has been asked to book a flight tomorrow, Friday 16 January, otherwise he would not be released to go back to his present residence at Busumbula. Foroyaa has earlier reported the eviction of Bern Georg Diedrich and his Gambian Friend Alieu Barry from the land which a high court judgment has maintained is Diedrich’s property. Last month two officials, who said they were from the Physical Planning Department, accompanied by armed personnel from the Police Intervention Unit (PIU), demanded the keys of the said compound from Diedrich and Barry and then asked them to immediately vacate the place. Efforts were made to reach the Physical Planning and later the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Lands only said the decision to evict them from the land is an executive directive. Foroyaa got in touch with the Public Relation Officer of the Gambia Immigration Department Cadet Inspector Saidou AM Bah on this issue through phone, and he said the matter is still under investigation.    ]]>