By Bruce Asemota
The Kanifing High Court presided over by Justice A Tutu Osei has ordered the Inspector General of Police to compensate one Silvanus Johnson, a 70-year-old man with the sum of D40.000 for hardship and distress after he was detained for more than 72hrs.
The court also declared that Silvanus Johnson’s detention or a period exceeding seventy-two hours is a violation of his rights and liberties guaranteed under the 1997 Constitution.
Delivering judgment, Justice Osei disclosed that the complainant was arrested on the 7 April, 2020, cautioned and charged for the offence of rape.
Justice Osei further disclosed that the Inspector General of Police in its defence stated that attempts were made to arraign him before the court but COVID-19 pandemic restrictions issued by the Chief Justice of the Gambia suspended the court proceedings.
