‘Justice is best served through lawful process’
By Ndey Jobateh
KERR FATOU reports “The Attorney General’s Chambers calls upon the public to allow the appellate process to take its course and to refrain from actions or statements that may prejudice the proceedings. Justice is best served through lawful process, and the Government remains committed to upholding the rule of law in all circumstances.” The Attorney General’s Chambers and Ministry of Justice Banjul, The Gambia, Office of the Attorney General
Let’s stop dressing this up in nice language, this is deeply troubling.
A Court of law has acquitted these individuals after evaluating the evidence. That should mean something. An acquittal is not a suggestion, it is a legal conclusion.
Yet, in the same breath, the State says it “respects the judgment,” files an appeal to overturn it, and then abducted the very people the Court has just set free.
So what exactly are we saying here?
That freedom is conditional?
That an acquittal only stands if the State agrees with it?
You cannot ask the public to “respect the process” while your actions undermine the very outcome of that process.
Yes, the State has a right to appeal. No one disputes that. But appeal is a legal remedy, not a justification to continue exercising control over individuals who have been cleared by the Court.
Otherwise, this stops looking like justice and starts looking like persistence until a conviction is secured. And that is where the real concern lies and the red line!!
Because this is bigger than one case.
It is about whether the rule of law protects citizens, or whether it bends when the outcome is inconvenient.
You cannot speak of rule of law, due process, and presumption of innocence while sending a message that even when the Court clears you, you are not truly free.
That is not justice. That is power, without restraint and that is dangerous!!
No more State Abduction!!
No more Jungler State!!
