Musa Saidykhan narrates his torture at the NIA

-

 

          


By Sheriff Saidykhan


Musa Saidykhan, onetime journalist at the defunct Independent newspaper has yesterday told the Federal Criminal Court in Switzerland about the severe torture meted out on him at the former (NIA).


Musa informed the court that he was arrested on the 27 March 2006 by a group of army including some police officers at his home in Faji Kunda, and later transported to the PIU in Kanifing before taken to the NIA at night.


He said he was put in a small cell together with some of the abortive 2006 coup plotters.


Musa told the court that when he was taken to the NIA, said he was severely beaten several times and was forced to striped naked, and they applied electrical shocks all over his body including his private part. 


Musa said due to those severe beatens he has lost his right arm and sights. He said during the second beaten his right arm was completely broken down twice. 


He told the court that him and Madi were taken before the panel he could vividly see Ousman Sonko, Lang Tombong Tamba and some senior government security personnel. 


He said he has to flee the country after his release, and warned by Sonko that whatever that happened there must be kept “under the carpet”.


He said he has to flee because three people confided to him that he should flee the country because Thabo Mbeki, former South Africa President was the one who interfered in his arrest until he was release. 


He said he has to smuggled to Senegal with his six months old pregnant wife and later to America.


Asked to described the political and press condition of the country under Jammeh. 


He told the court that at the time there was decree 71 and this has quickly moved the collateral for a newspaper from 500 to 1,000 Dalasis. 


He said there was lack of press freedom completely. “The government killed journalists, media houses were burnt down detained of journalists without trial all these things have happened under Jammeh,” he told the court.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular OP posts

Essa Dampha says there is no credible opposition to match Barrow

-
Image
By: Modou Touray  Mr Essa Dampha, the outspoken aide on media for President Adama Barrow, asserted that the President has the prospects of winning the 2026 election with a landslide. He justified his argument on the basis that the President has achieved monumental gains in terms of delivery adequately responding to the plights of the Gambian People. “Electricity is accessible to remote communities, health Centres, and Posts, and ambulances were distributed across the length and breadth of the country. He wants to decentralize development. There is a road network extension in the country; everybody can attest to that. Farmers were given Fertiliser and equipment. I will give him 85 % in terms of development rating for 2024.” he said  Mr. Dampha further elaborated on the successful hosting of the OIC Summit in the Gambia as well as the availing of a conclusive environment for private businesses and development initiatives to flourish. “Hamidou Jah is producing Gambian-grown rice ...
Read more

By: Modou Touray 

Mr Essa Dampha, the outspoken aide on media for President Adama Barrow, asserted that the President has the prospects of winning the 2026 election with a landslide.

He justified his argument on the basis that the President has achieved monumental gains in terms of delivery adequately responding to the plights of the Gambian People.

“Electricity is accessible to remote communities, health Centres, and Posts, and ambulances were distributed across the length and breadth of the country. He wants to decentralize development. There is a road network extension in the country; everybody can attest to that. Farmers were given Fertiliser and equipment. I will give him 85 % in terms of development rating for 2024.” he said 

Mr. Dampha further elaborated on the successful hosting of the OIC Summit in the Gambia as well as the availing of a conclusive environment for private businesses and development initiatives to flourish.

“Hamidou Jah is producing Gambian-grown rice thanks to the conclusive environment.”. 

Mr. Dampha also described President Barrow as a problem solver, not a firefighter er, emphasizing that his principle is to investigate the genesis of the problem and find a duration solution to it.

“his development trajectory is more like a problem solver, not a firefighter. When there is a problem, he reacts quickly and finds out the root course of that problem. He worked on that and found a solution. He is a proactive leader.” he remarked. 

Reacting to the recent allegations of vote rigging by the NPP, Mr Dampha said the government has distanced itself from such irresponsible and baseless allegations. He commended the charismatic Information Minister Dr Ismailia Ceesay, who applauded him for changing the government information flow dynamics.

“The government will not take the allegations lightly, it\

-
2025-01-01 11:36:00
Read more

IYS grandee shares his transformative Journey at UWE

-
Image
Alagie Ndow, the founder and CEO of Inspiring Young Stars (IYS) has recently concluded a transformative three-week professional development program at the University of West of England (UWE), Bristol. As the Manager of Programs and ICT at Daughters of Africa.  Alagie’s mission has always been to empower youth, through education promote women’s leadership, and drive sustainable community development. His journey at UWE has marked a significant milestone in his professional and personal growth, equipping him with invaluable tools to enhance his impact in The Gambia and beyond. A Transformative Learning Experience Under the guidance of Clay Johnson, a leading expert in ICT, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and technology integration, Alagie participated in workshops focused on digital innovation, AI-driven solutions, and project management. This immersive training emphasized practical applications of technology to address organizational challenges and foster community development. “This...
Read more