A Cadet Assistant Immigration officer is challenging a demotion ordered by Director General Buba Sagnia, describing it as a punishment for sounding the bell. Omar T. Camara was on May 23rd, 2018 demoted to Inspector, two ranks below Cadet Assistant. Camara was also transferred to upcountry posting without the knowledge of deputy Immigration Director Seedy Touray.
In a letter to Director General Buba Sagnia, Camara accused Sagnia of violation of the Constitution of the Gambia and the power of the Director General. Besides, he said it is wrong for him to be witch-hunted for exercising his constitutional right to petition a boss slowing down the reform agenda of the Gambia Immigration Department.
Read below Omar T. Camera’s letter to Buba Sagnia challenging his unexplained demotion and impromptu upcountry posting.
Immigration Department, 21 OAU Boulevard Street Banjul 23rd May 2018
Director General Immigration Department 21 OAU Boulevard Street Banjul
Dear Sir,
THE SILENCE BREAK OUT 4: Violation of the Constitution of the Gambia and the power of the Director General.
Reference to your letter dated 23/05/18, with the subject matter notification of demotion in rank, I would like to inform you that this is against my constitutional right and the power of the Director General. I have the right on the provision of section 24 i.e secure protection of the law and fair play and it is the same provision in our constitution that has given me the freedom to petition the executive for redress of grievances and to resort the courts for the protection of my rights and under the Freedom of speech of this provision.
That by the virtue of this case;
You as the director general have the power to promote and appoint from the rank of Chief inspector down to the first class. Likewise to conduct orderly room to discipline junior officers from this rank down (chief Inspector). This is why the promotion to the rank of Cadet ASI can only be given by the approval of P.M.O, therefore the orderly which was conducted 5th and 6th February 2018 (which I was not present) totally contravened this provision. I cannot be charged but queried to P.M.O. This does not exist in the field of police code of conduct.
By the time of this orderly room being conducted petition about the kind of your management style was filed against you and until such a time that the fact of the matter was established, I C/ASI Omar T.Camara should not be subjected to anything.
The constitution of the republic of the Gambia has given me the rights to secure protection and fair play from authorities.
In this vein your letter has contravened all these provisions and violated my constitutional right.
All the elements I stated in the petition filed against you in the SILENCE BREAK OUT 1 were manifested by your actions and justified by evidences and witnesses who testified during the investigation. Why should I face such decision when I did not lie against you. Your decision violated my right and the constitution of the Gambia.
The fact that your inner circle and those who conspired to deny the government of much needed revenue for development will face full consequences of the law, you want to use that orderly room which was conducted in February 5th and 6th just to clear me from the system, this will not work, because you have this notion that GID 2 was using me to fight against your position. I did not lie against you neither committed crime nor violate any rule but instead I was exercising my constitutional right. GID 2 has his own case and I have mine too. These are two different cases altogether. Why you did not take this step since in February? The motive behind this will not work. Let your people face for the crime they have committed and leave me.
You should battle it out with the person who reported this case to the authorities. I have my own case that I am fighting for, you should not inflict that anger on innocent C/ASI Omar T. Camara. Hatred is too much, I am totally discouraged in the Gambia Immigration Department, all these are happening because my name appeared as liaison officer in Germany. The reason why my name was sent by the German government was out of the well written and articulated challenges, constraints and the knowledge of Integrated Border Management I presented before the delegates during the meeting at the Director General’s office.
Director General, you have turned state department into a limited liability company wherein the gameovernment is a shareholder and you together with your inner circle. Avail those who were involved in visa scandals to face the full interpretation of the law including you and GID 3. Allah is seeing you and is going to judge you the way you manage GID. THINK ABOUT THE DAY OF THE JUDGEMENT. Apologize to the authorities, citizens and proceed on voluntary retirement.
Until such a time that the petition filed against you is resolved, I shall remain with my rank as C/ASI and report to immigration headquarters for work.
Thanks
Sign……..
C/ASI Omar T.Camara
Cc : PS MOI
PS PMO
PS PSC
Secretary General
Ends