Press Statement

MFWA’s lawyers’ Issue ultimatum to ECOWAS Commission over detained Gambian journalist

Chief Ebrima Manneh

Solicitors of the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) have given the President of the ECOWAS Commission a fifteen-day ultimatum to compel the government of President Yahya Jammeh of the Gambia to comply with the order of the Community Court and release detained journalist Chief Ebrima Manneh.

A letter signed on August 1, 2008 by Nigerian Human Rights lawyer and MFWA‘s counsel, Femi Falana, was directly addressed to the Commission’s President, demanding him “to accede to our request on or before August 15”, adding that “we shall not hesitate to seek an order of mandamus in the ECOWAS Court of Justice with a view to compelling your good self to carry out your statutory duty in the circumstances.”

Manneh, a reporter of the Daily Observer, a Banjul-based, privately owned, pro-government, newspaper has been held incommunicado since his arrest on July 7, 2006. Several calls for his release have fallen on deaf ears. MFWA last year brought a legal action before the ECOWAS Community Court based in Abuja, Nigeria for Manneh’s release. On June 5, the court upheld MFWA's request and declared that the arrest and detention of Manneh, was illegal and called for his immediate release. The court also awarded Manneh US$100,000 in damages for the violation of his rights. 

Falana’s letter added that the Gambian government by refusing to release Manneh from further incarceration, has shown gross disrespect to the court and said this is in “utter violation of its obligations to the ECOWAS Court”.  

The letter finally called on the Commission to invoke Article 77 of the ECOWAS Revised Treaty, which provides for the imposition of serious sanctions on any member state that fails to fulfil its obligations to the Community.

Issued by the MFWA, Accra on August 6, 2008. 

The MFWA is a regional independent, non-profit, non-governmental organization based in Accra. It was founded in 1997 to defend and promote the rights and freedom of the media and all forms of expression. 

For further information: Please Contact:
MFWA
P.O. Box LG 730, Legon
Accra, Ghana
Tel 233-21 242470
Fax 233 -21 221084
Email: mfwa@africaonline.com.gh

Website: www.mediafound.org