Riot police officers are manning the gates of the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) national secretariat in Brusubi to stop Almamy Taal, who was sacked last week, from returning to work.

Taal was relieved from his post as legal officer at the OIC. No reason was given for his sacking. But many political analysts speculate that it was due to the falling out of President Barrow and his former UDP godfather and Vice President, Ousainou Darboe. Taal is the administrative secretary and legal officer of the United Democratic Party.

“I have been advised by my lawyers not to engage in any push and pull. That is why I didn’t go to work today. I spoke with the IGP. I told him that it was abuse of power by him for deploying the officers. He should have known better. He is a student of mine at the University and the law is here for all. So for them to deploy officers for personal political agenda is unfortunate,” Taal told The Fatu Network.

Taal supporters including prominent social activist Madi Jobarteh have urged him to disregard the sacking and returns to work.

“I assume Almamy himself would know better as a lawyer. So that if he receives a letter from whichever source sacking him and he knows that to be unlawful, one way is to disregard it. Because certainly that letter would have no effect because the person or the office lacks the authority, the power to sack,” Jobarteh said.