Chief Manneh, President Jammeh & Slain journalist Deyda Hydar

 In a landmark decision delivered on June 5, 2008, The Community Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Abuja, Nigeria declared the arrest and detention of Chief Ebrima Manneh illegal and ordered the Gambian authorities to immediately release him. The court also awarded damages in the sum of US$ 100,000 in favour of Manneh against the Gambian Government.

The regime of President Yahya Jammeh has consistently denied any knowledge of the whereabouts of the journalist, and has demonstrated gross disrespect for the ECOWAS court by refusing to cooperate throughout the proceedings. Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) welcomes this decision by the ECOWAS court. We therefore call on The Gambia to respect and enforce the judgment in accordance with laid down procedures. The suit was filed before the regional court on behalf of Chief Manneh by MFWA.

(DETAILS TO FOLLOW LATER)

Prof. Kwame Karikari

Executive Director, MFWA, Accra

Tel: 233 21 24 24 70

Fax : 233 21 221084

Web site : www.mediafound.org

Email : mfwa@africaonline.com.gh