Justice Ottaba of High Court in Banjul this morning recused himself from the trial of remanded peaceful opposition pritesters.
Kairo News is yet to get details of why there is a dramatic twist in a case that has put the Gambia government on high security alert. It has resulted to a sea of opposition defiance in a strictly pokice where the rights and freedims are muzzled. But the cold-blooded murder of opposition activist Solo Sandeng and crackdown on the United Democratic Party leadership have all changed the political landscape, with protest becoming a daily routine.
No reasons have been publicly advanced for Ottaba’s decision. Most people believe it is exacerbated by an interview the Nigerian judge had with Fatou Camara of Fatu Radio Network. In the said interview, Justice Ottaba agreed that the case against Lawyer Ousainou and others is politically motivated and that the state is banking on settling the case through dialogue.
It could be recalled that Justice Ottaba denied detained opposition activists bail citing security reasons. But the same judge admitted that it is embarassing to arrest and detain a high-profile lawyer like Ousanou Darboe on something as minor as holding a peaceful protest demanding for justice.
This development is greeted with cheers by solidarity giving Gambians at the High Court. The case is a clear testimony of President Yahya Jammeh’s interference in dispensation of justice.
Ends
It is great that he too is gone and recused himself from this politically motivated case .
Great interview Fatu Camara for putting him to task and finally convinced him that he is doing injustice to Gambian people .
Come, come, come Max! The judge actually set himself up!
He was troubled by his conscience but frightened of the consequences of letting Darboe and Co. go free. So he spoke to Fatou, declared Darboe and Co. innocents – and got an excuse to remove himself off the case (with Fatou to blame for “entrapment” that really never was!).
Now the world knows that the judge is on record – taped by Fatou – declaring Darboe and Co. innocents.
But I can assure you that the judge himself will be in Mile 2 – charged with gross professional misconduct – unless his country Cameroon, Ecowas and the current glare of international publicity on the case saves him.
There could be a possibility about your assumption . In any case , he is gone . I also agree that he might be fired or see himself in prison unless there is special intervention . I commend Fatu Camara for her wonderful job . Only person who is not happy right now in this forum is pdois disciples such as Bax .
Max, if I may ask, why would the self recuse of justice ottaba make PDOIS supporters unhappy?
In your narrow mind, do you blame PDOIS or its supporters for what is happening to Darboe and his officials??
By the way what good does this recuse bring to this politically motivated case when this very judge has over 4 weeks denied them bail on the orders of his boss. Had he not been busted by Fatou Camara, would he had had the conscience to recuse himself of the case?
Maybe you need to be reminded that PDOIS is not the ruling party and are in no way, shape or form part of Yahya Jammeh government. Please do not forget that Halifa Sallah, Hamat Bah and OJ were in this kind of political case before. In 2005, they were arrested and charged falsely and accused of giving information to Senegal. Maybe you were too young then and unaware of the events then.
Other than you Max whose only actions stop in this forum where you are a cyber warrior, all genuine Gambians and friends of The Gambia are working tideously day and night to not only free Darboe and all the others but ensure the bullying and the madness of Yahya stops.
We do not need your endorsement nor do we care about your persistent ill will against PDOIS.
You have long been calling for ple to go on the streets. Now that they are there and many in detention, we are yet to see you among any of the protesters. I would have been in the forefront had I been you.
But never mind, an empty barrel makes the most sound which is indeed you.
Gambia , you are not part of Jammeh’s circle but mr sallah is part of his circle secretly . You have no idea what he is capable of doing . I believe he support Jammeh and give him advise . I do not believe he really want change of regime .
It is the same reason , he came with all kind of strategy to prevent alliance or coalition . The fact that he refused alliance and refused to support peaceful protesters , I am 100 % convinced that he want Jammeh to remain in power .
Bax , To be honest , I judge you based on your comments because sometime you acted like pdois supporter and other time you acted like Yankuba Colly . This is why I consider you supporting Jammeh and hiding behind pdois . This is also why I consider pdois as an agent of legitimize dictatorship because they behave the same way .
Oh, so I’m back to being “PDOIS disciple” again. I thought you just said that I was “hiding behind PDOIS”, but was a regime supporter, who preferred the status quo.. Make up your mind and let me know where you place me..Stop “dilly dallying” like a “kulung kalango”..It didn’t take long before my prediction came true, did it.? It was only yesterday when I stated that, I won’t be surprised if you put me back with PDOIS..
I would be much happier if he had stayed and made a judgement that reflected what he believes in his heart, to be the truth. Nonetheless, it’s a moral victory for the anti-rule of impunity camp, even if there is no shortage of willing enablers within the legal profession..
The long awaited moment of truth’s started catching up; victory is now surely within the horizon sooner; let’s just keep up the momentum with the same resilient efforts & stamina to finish up the fight for all Gambians & friends…..
Yaya DEVIL jammeh & murderous elements will realise they can’t just choose to oppress, torture & kill human lives anymore & dismiss it off as usual to move on…..
All genuine decent Gambians of moral conscience mustn’t pat ourselves on the backs yet but can smell the aura of freedom in the air which is within reach with little bit of continuous resolve & determinations…
We are getting there slowly but surely; sooner; Insha Allah…..
Max and Bajaw
Your assumptions are not too prized apart, and the third possibly is that given the ridiculous nature of the case, he is not ready to further sully his hands by being dictated to further crucify the innocents. Let’s watch out for another willing tool that would choose money and proximity to power over life, truth and justice.
Well, in the courts of tyrants justice is an accident- often a grudging last option on the table.
Max and Bajaw
Your assumptions are not too prized apart, and the third possibly is that given the ridiculous nature of the case, he is not ready to further sully his hands by being dictated to further crucify the innocents. Let’s watch out for another willing tool that would choose money and proximity to power over life, truth and justice.
Well, in the courts of tyrants justice is an accident- often a grudging last option on the table when the escape routes are sealed.
Jula, I can’t agree more with you factually; any person of conscience, in the judge’s shoes, will do the same, & in fact shouldn’t have even agreed to preside over this kangaroo prosecution in the first place; but he could’ve as well been pushed off the case from behind with the revelations from Fatu; whereby excusing himself is just the normal formality process of transferring to another mercenary cum-judge for our Murderous kanilai Killer DEVIL isn’t short of willing accomplices; let’s see who is willing to take up the devilish aid abetting next; the good thing is, the ramifications & consequences for future implications & repercussions for yaya Killer-DEVIL & elements will make anybody of moral conscience to handle this cases diligently even when they are cajoled to preside over forcibly; we all are following, together with friends & rest of the world…..
Ggapm , kamalo didn’t think and use his own ideas because he has to make a draft and send it to the boss to get approval before posting . Don’t mind him lol. . I suspect that is why his respond are very long and it has to be quoted in every reply . Why would you need a draft if it is your ideas and it is not an article but a comment . One thing also they will never make any research about Yaya Jammeh’s regime economic corruption , sexual terrorism , human right violations or anything that would be negative about Jammeh . If you see their article , it is all about defense of Halifa or pdois . They are always on the defensive mode . Every contribution has to get approval . Do you remember when he protested about his comment been published in the headline ? I thought that was funny .
I absolutely agree here@Max. They are complacent to the constitution’s abuse and misrule and the killing of innocent citizens by a state of despots. That is why any time now the UDP wins appreciations for their purely democratic and constitutional rights moves, the PDOIS party or militants will plunge in to provoke a debate to invalidate or underestimate the majority sister opposition party’s efforts. Fine,no problem with that attitude at all, because sense can be made out of the rambling as@Kamalo claims it to be.
I would have noted with due interest, my comment did not show in the columns and I coud have posted another comment in pattern and not necessarily having to remember the previous one as prototype. So far so good UDP. Another headline amazes the world or aleast Gambians with the ability to reason for themselves.
God bless and protect the UDP party’s leader Ousainou Darboe, the UDP executive, the UDP militants and all it may concern on the ground. May God see you through in the hands of half-minded citizens.
Ggapm,We have told you over and over that you can promote your party any how you prefer and kaironews appears to be doing that very well. No one has any qualms with that. Your problem is, you seem to have it difficult to promote your party without putting blame on PDOIS. You want to make readers believe that PDOS is responsible for any failure of the UDP or of your agendas. Like Kamalo just wrote PDOIS is not competing with any party perse but is continuously promoting its policies and programmes to the best of its ability. Why can’t you people pretending to represent UDP or any agenda do the same? I think you believe that unless you have PDOIS on board your agendas you will never succeed and therefore you make it your preoccupation to put pressure on PDOIS so that they accept to be your bandwagon. That will never be possible because PDOIS is always looking at the public/national interest before engaging in any sort of agenda and since your agendas are mainly lacking merit and credibility and mainly selfish or partisan interest you will always be a failure without PDOIS. The earlier you get that the better for you. I hope its getting clearer now.
Editor, we have agreed that the pages will be wide open. Thank you so much.
My simple and straight forward question to you @Yerro is; how much is your appraisal of the UDP demonstrations for electoral reforms???
Please try and give me a sincere, simple and straight forward answer so we can be able to identify where our differences lay.
“My simple and straight forward question to you @Yerro is; how much is your appraisal of the UDP demonstrations for electoral reforms???”
Ggapm, i think if it is the UDP that initially started the demonstrations and believe that it is the best way forward for them, they should go ahead with it. I am not convinced that few people demonstrating will lead us to Regime Change not to talk about System Change.
If the demo is simply about electoral reforms I think the UDP should make it known to all stakeholders who should agree at the GOFER to engage in it. I think that would be more effective than taking few people to the streets without being prepared for it. I think the whole situation is unfortunate.
My problem is you people who want to drag a party like PDOIS into your scheme of things when PDOIS has nothing to do with it in the first place and does not believe it will lead to anything better for the process of change taking place in the country at the moment. That is what is not acceptable to me and many others.
What say you now?
haha Maxs, this is why Pa Samba Jaw had a tongue lashing via the usual press release when he and DUGA took siege of the Gambian Embassy in DC. He didn’t seek prior approval. I do not know if he is still a disciple, I hope he is an outcast.
” I believe he support Jammeh and give him advise . I do not believe he really want change of regime .It is the same reason , he came with all kind of strategy to prevent alliance or coalition . The fact that he refused alliance and refused to support peaceful protesters , I am 100 % convinced that he want Jammeh to remain in power “.
it is becoming more and more abundantly clear to all that PDOIS has no interest in rescuing the Nation. The reality on the ground is that no single opposition party at the moment can defeat APRC alone.
PDOIS is holding the nation hostage some twisted logic that only Halifa’s disciples understand. Mining Mining Tafal Tafal the truth will come out.
I am glad more Gambians are seeing PDOIS for who their party is.
Dida once said in 2009 that if Gambians are serious they will unite and get rid of Jammeh, these words have stood the test of time. The fact is that our so called leaders have ulterior motives.
Hammer, those who have ulterior motives and are holding the nation at ransom are those who refused to come out clean with their agendas. PDOIS is not part of that group since they have come out with their proposal regarding how the country could be rescued. They have also made it public and sent it to all political parties and stakeholders. You are refusing to look where you can cite ulterior motive people who want to misguide and drag others into their schemes and sit back and blame others after failure.
As a Gambian too, it is my experience from childhood that, even innocent school children can be cold bloodedly murdered and some hypocrite so-called statesman will come out to say something like, ‘Oh! this is very unfortunate. Oh my God! one has to talk to the children. Children nowadays lack discipline and good training’. This is the kind of cowardly remarks you will hear from many hypocrites and gluttons. Thanks to the UDP on the forefronts, this kind of corwardly conscience in statesmanship is changing in many citizen.
You are the types of citizens likely to take people who sacrifice their lives for other as ‘fools’ This has changed and I bear with you the fact that all victims of the two decades of hell on earth in the Gambia, will be respected all the way up in the Gambia’s history and some day I believe too that you dare not disrespect one of them in public for they had gained respect and did not cook it. I can say the PDOIS has ulterior motives for the naivity that prevailed in their approach to brave statesmen’s constitutional demonstration.
Bax and Kamalo, you have succeeded in neutralizing the impact of these negatives who have no line of reasoning except empty anger and venting of frustration. Just like Kamalo said all clear thinkers know that PDOIS is not responsible for what is happening to the protestors but is daily working with the affected people to have them released.It is those who have ulterior agendas who infiltrated the innocents to engage in protest which made them to fall into this quagmire and it is Yahya Jammeh’s government which is tormenting them for exercising their right. Only a crazy person would suggest that PDOIS is responsible for their suffering.
Secondly, there is no rejoicing in one judge recusing himself from a case when there are so many others willing to take up such cases for self interest. Is the judge not reiterating what PDOIS has said over and over that the Inter Party is the best institution to resolve this crisis since it is a political matter and not the courts.Has the Chief Justice not already appointed another judge to take up the case who have already accepted? Is PDOIS not playing an active part in Inter Party matters not only to resolve this recent impasse but all other political issues that are pending? Its unfortunate that shortsighted people like Maxs cannot see beyond their noses. People of conscience know that PDOIS is doing what it is doing and does not do it to be recognized but doing it in the national interest to the best of their ability and conscience.
PDOIS and Halifa should continue to play their part to the best of their ability and not allow to be distracted by those who cause the problem in the first place only to run away from its solution. They are only cowards and detractors deserving no respect.
“Ggapm , kamalo didn’t think and use his own ideas because he has to make a draft and send it to the boss to get approval before posting . Don’t mind him lol. . I suspect that is why his respond are very long and it has to be quoted in every reply”
Max, you are now getting to be very petty. When I noticed that my response to you did not post, I had the choice either to forget about the whole thing or mention to you that I have responded. When I posted the comment it was waiting for moderation. When I went back to check whether it has posted it was nowhere to be seen.
I only mentioned a draft because the editor wanted me to repost the comment. I couldn’t because I had already posted it. If you want to make a bone out of this, hey, have a field day.
“Why would you need a draft if it is your ideas and it is not an article but a comment.”
At least give me the courtesy of the benefit of the doubt. Unless you want to be really petty. I do not make drafts when I post comments.
” One thing also they will never make any research about Yaya Jammeh’s regime economic corruption , sexual terrorism , human right violations or anything that would be negative about Jammeh .”
Our approach and response to the political situation in the country is different. It is more mature, more objective, more pragmatic and more realistic. It is mostly govern by reason instead of emotion. That is the reason our language is more measured, more proficient, more discipline and free from all vulgarity and disrespect. We always want to deal with the issues. Our politics is about the politics of issues.
Contrast that to the politics that you are engaged in. We are different. Your issues are not our issues. You are concerned with one individual. We are concerned about a whole nation. You are concerned with replacing a regime. We are concerned about building a nation.
Talking about research. PDOIS’s work is all about research. That is why their statements are irrefutable; their conclusions incontrovertible and their polemics unassailable. Every thought process is supported on the basis of law, knowledge or reason.
PDOIS has developed a political, social and economic blueprint of the Gambia, from the colonial period to the present, and if you have followed the pages of Foroyaa from the early eighties, and the volume of political literature from that period, it would be obvious to you that we are cognizant of all the attendant social ills that are manifested in our society.
And to quote Karl Marx: “The philosophers have only interpreted the world, in various ways. The point, however, is to change it.”
You are more concerned with a regime change, to the extend that you entertain all kinds of political adventurism to achieve that goal. We are more concerned with a system change; it is more deliberate, more focused, more content driven, more objective and more guided. So your ways are not our ways.
“If you see their article , it is all about defense of Halifa or pdois . They are always on the defensive mode .”
We just want to put the record straight. If you attribute a statement to PDOIS that PDOIS did not make, we will come out and tell you that is not correct.
If you say something about Halifa that is not true, we will also come out and tell you that is not the case.
If you misrepresent the position of the party on any given issue, we will also come out to rectify the misrepresentation. This is what is called clarity. We want everything to be clear and truthful. This is all.
“Every contribution has to get approval . Do you remember when he protested about his comment been published in the headline ? I thought that was funny .”
No, Max. Most of us do not know each other, and I believe we only identify each other through our postings here. The only thing we share in common: some of us are PDOIS members, PDOIS supporters or PDOIS sympathizers.
My protest about my comment being published in the headline was genuine. It was not meant to be as such. It was a comment relating to a particular subject. I was right on that one.
Reply
Maxs, PDOIS and Halifa were in politics well before Jammeh and co overthrew the PPP regime and the PDOIS was giving the same advice to Jawara which he never took. For example, PDOIS advised Jawara to resign to allow a younger more rejuvenated leader to take over the PPP if the PPP was not to be seen as a one man show and undemocratic.
The Gambia belongs to us all and PDOIS as a genuine national party should not sit while the country is being destroyed. It will not allow Jammeh to do that and it will not allow any other to do so either. Let Maxs cite any statement of advice from PDOIS to Jammeh which is not in the national interest which warrants him to label Halifa an enabler of Jammeh and I will give up on PDOIS. The ball is in his court.
@Kamalo, you claimed a comment you have posted didn’t show and what I was trying to tell you is, you could have easily post another comment in its place. Ideas, opinions, views etc., are not blue prints in words, in our minds, as I see it.
The latter, nonetheless, is not the real issue at hand but the PDOIS’s efforts to invalidate every UDP human resource efforts in queries like; ‘they did a bad planning, they are taking it in their own hands, they have ulterior motives, they are calling for a civil unrest and all types of prepared verbal scrap. @Kamalo, I think that is why you have answered and cleared all doubts and sceptism that where expressed here, in the forums, with regards to the PDOIS’s distance from the dictatorship of half-minded citizens. Your political maturity however didn’t inner-urge you to confront dictatorship by means, constitutionally provided but refer to citizens who won’t enable dictators online as senseless ramblers. You remain the ‘sensible sticker’ for that matter because, every Gambian who may have been arbitrarily arrested, forced to disappear, incarcerated or killed by the dictatorship in the Gambia are heroes and national symbols for some whilst some, even in the executive party politics camps feel contempt and glory for these people’s sufferings and killings. You pretend to be matured politicians but I think you are the organised petit-bourgeoisie of the ‘military regime in civilian clothes’ of the Gambia. Let the trash scatter without vulgarity but respect is how one may define apart from the dictionary’s doctrine.
Kamalo , how can you change the system without changing the regime ? So you want to put the cart before the horse ? This is why I always say pdois are bunch of confused people who are not realistic . I want the regime change so that we as Gambians can collectively change the system of bad governance / dictatorship and put in place or build democratic policies , rule of law and respect for the constitution . But pdois want to change the system without willingness to fight to change the regime . This is why pdois becomes an obstacle for every unity proposal and method . It is very rigid , naive , unlealistic and insensible approach by pdois. So you are not interested in regime change but your only focus is change of system . What an absurd idea . Which country built their system without changing the regime ?
Pdois does not follow simple practical approach despite the fact that you claimed to be more pragmatic and realistic . You should first think of the regime change , once you succeed then you can implement your ideas about building a system . This is what makes sense to people . But if you embark on insensible political campaign and tell people that you want to build up a system without emphasis on the regime change , people are not going to listen to illogical speeches . This is why in 40 years of your political intellectualism and illogicalism , your support base is 3 percent because ordinary people see you as not interested in governance but building a utopian system. Change strategy . Your leadership do not have intelligent approach to politics . I would say he is better off to be a sociologist than being a politicians .
If you considered my characterization of your leader as dishonest , naive and hypocritical as an insult then tell me what is the best description of his views and policies currently . It is the best description of his views and positions .
When they say, ‘system change’, is exactly what is transpiring for them in the Gambia; ‘despotism’. This is what they refer to as ‘system change’.
Maxs, you have been guilty of ascribing statements to people only for you to argue against that statement to try and make a point. There is nowhere Kamalo said we are not interested in regime change. That is your own statement and you know it.
It is interesting to find out that this is your intention, to collectivelely work with everyone to bring about change of system and put in place democratic policies, rule of law and respect for the constitution.
Maxs, if we are to colllectively do that we have to put in place a mechanism that we all agreed on to be able to reach our goal. What mechanism or agenda did you have in place for us to collectively work together to achieving that lofty goal? PDOIS has articulated its preferred agenda/program which is circulated to all stakeholders for review and comment as a way forward for not only regime change but also system change. You have always maintained your opposition to it without articulating your agenda. How can a national party like PDOIS join something which they don’t know anything about and work with people who are not even known and without any clear cut agenda known to them? It is only anarchists who operate that way.
Maxs, we are now waiting for you to tell us your agenda that will make us to collectively work to change the system of bad governance/dictatorship and put in place democratic policies, rule of law and respect for the constitution.
Since you are of the view that PDOIS is very rigid , naive , unrealistic with an insensible approach, we will now wait for you to tell us your sensible approach to bring about the regime change. The ball is now in your court but if you fail to inform the readers your sensible approach, you will be accused of simply talking because you have in your possession instruments for the amplification of information which you are abusing for the sake of saying nothing.
Yero Ba, My position and political view is in line with UDP policies and programs . i believe UDP has best policies and programs at the moment which will ensure victory . I am not saying that UDP alone can do it and this is why i call on PDOIS to join forces with UDP.. you cannot tell me that UDP did not have policies and programs . PDOIS needs to be realistic and honest about their positions , i believe they are not interest in regime change . UDP has spear-headed the fight to remove military dictatorship while selfish politician like Mr sallah stay neutral and continue to write foolish letters as if he cannot think. My agenda is on udp agenda. simple and straight forward.
Editor, let me please repost my comment to Hammer since it is still being moderated.
Hammer, those who have ulterior motives and are holding the nation at ransom are those who refused to come out clean with their agendas. PDOIS is not part of that group since they have come out with their proposal regarding how the country could be rescued. They have also made it public and sent it to all political parties and stakeholders. You are refusing to look where you can cite ulterior motive people who want to misguide and drag others into their schemes and sit back and blame others after failure.
“Kamalo , how can you change the system without changing the regime ? So you want to put the cart before the horse ? This is why I always say pdois are bunch of confused people who are not realistic.”
Max, I stated that you are more concerned with a regime change, to the extend that you entertain all kinds of political adventure to achieve this goal. What this implies is that your only intent and goal is to change the regime. You are not interested in anything else. The consequence of such intent and goal is to maintain the status quo. To keep things as they are.
I stated that we are more concerned with a system change. What this implies is that not only will be change the regime, but we will change the system as well. It is obvious that you have to change the regime first before you can bring in a change of system. Your question, therefore, has no logical import.
Since the rest of your argument is based on what I did not say, I will then leave you to argue with yourself.
You have succeeded to create your own argument, that there should be a regime change before a system change, however, do not ascribe statements to me that I did not make. I never said that you can change the system without changing the regime. This should be basic common sense.
“Yero Ba, My position and political view is in line with UDP policies and programs” Maxs, tell us clearly what those policies and programs are in simple terms. Please do not make me to search endlessly for them. They should be readily be available.
Thanks
Yerro Ba, Do you think I will list each and every policy and program of UDP for you in this forum in simple terms? All you need to do is to read the policies and programs for yourself and see if they are as confusing as those of PDOIS. I expect you to do that before you asked me to list it for you. As Gambian, it is your responsibility to read all the parties manifestos, policies and programs before you make your choice. If you have done that you wont asked me to educate you about UDP. But you have failed to educate yourself and you are blindly following PDOIS .