Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – The High Court in Banjul has ruled in favor of Aisha Fatty, declaring that the unlawful detention of her two Mercedes Benz vehicles by the police was unconstitutional. The ruling, delivered by Honorable Justice Zainab F. Jawara Alami, concluded that the vehicles, held for nine months without charges, must be returned to Fatty.
Aisha Fatty, represented in the case by her attorney, Lamin Camara, filed a suit against the Inspector General of Police and the Attorney General’s Chambers for the unlawful detention of her vehicles. The police had detained the cars under various allegations ranging from money laundering to cybercrime, without presenting any concrete charges against Fatty.
“This case marks a significant victory for Aisha Fatty, affirming her ownership of the vehicles and highlighting the unconstitutional nature of their prolonged detention,” Camara stated. “The court’s decision underscores the importance of due process and the protection of individual rights against unlawful state actions.”
Justice Jawara Alami granted all the prayers sought by Fatty’s legal team, except for damages. The court declared that the vehicles belong to Fatty, ordering their immediate release and confirming that their detention without charges was unconstitutional. The ruling further clarified that the vehicles’ registration supports Fatty’s ownership, not that of Abdoulaye Thiam, another party involved in a related legal dispute.
“This ruling sets a precedent in our legal system, emphasizing the necessity of upholding constitutional rights and ensuring that state authorities cannot arbitrarily detain property without due process,” added Camara.
The case has broader implications, as a related matter involving Abdoulaye Thiam and Aisha Fatty is pending before the court. “We are confident that this decision will positively impact the forthcoming case, reinforcing Aisha Fatty’s rightful ownership of the vehicles,” Camara remarked.
In a parallel development, a similar case involving Fatty and Thiam is ongoing in Dakar, Senegal. Camara expressed optimism about winning all related cases, even if it means taking the matter to the Supreme Court.
Despite being in detention, Aisha Fatty remains resilient. “She is very strong and determined to see justice served,” Camara affirmed.
This landmark ruling not only restores Fatty’s property but also reinforces the principles of justice and constitutional rights in The Gambia. The legal community and the public alike is hopeful that this decision marks a step towards greater accountability and fairness in the judicial system.
