Human rights activists have reiterated their calls for the release of rapper Killa Ace and 36 youths currently in remand at Mile Two Prison in Banjul.

The suspects are facing 8 felony charges which include capital offences like arson and riotous demolition.

On Tuesday September 3 the Kanifing Magistrate Court recused itself from case citing the lack of jurisdiction to hear the case and referred it to the Special Criminal Division of the High Court in Banjul.

However, an activist movement calling itself Team Gom sa Bopa which means (believe in yourself) expressed disappointment about the decision to remand Killa Ace and his co-accused pending a trial at the High Court.

Speaking at a press conference, Madi Jobarteh a human rights activist demanded the release of the remanded youths.

“I wish to demand that the IGP and Attorney General withdraw charges against these youths immediately.”

He said since the July 24 protest in Serekunda that neither the Police nor the minister of Interior had issued any public statement that they would conduct an investigation into the burning down of Mr Gorgi Mboob’s house, adding that “hence how comes the Police went ahead to arrest a group of youths for that case when no such investigation was conducted to the knowledge of the general public.”

Mr. Jobarteh also demanded an explaination from the IGP about why he took a charge which involve “life imprisonment” to a magistrate court which has no jurisdiction to try such a crime “by taken such a matter before a court means a direct violation of the rights of the youths.”

Yusef Taylor alias Flex Dan, a member of Team Gom sa Bopa said: “we need to be very cautious of what the real narrative is: Killa is a victim and not only a victim but has been standing for victims before him. He stood for the Victims Centre and he will continue to do that. Anti-crime wouldn’t be able to stop him.”

Malick Jarju alias DabakMalick, also a member of Team Gom sa Bopa movement said: “to me it becomes a mode of selective justice. Police brutality is something that happening and we are a living witness to it.”

According to him, he doesn’t believe the Police have the tangible evidence to point at Killa Ace and rest of the youths, yes the house was burn is true but organising a demonstration doesn’t justify that I orchestrated destruction of public or private properties.”

He said the young people have lost hope in the future of the country, citing that people are going through an education and health system that is very poor, adding that “those politicians who probably before 2016 couldn’t afford to pay for their children’s to attend private schools are now sending their children’s to oversees studies.”

Reporting by Adama Barrow