Failed Negotiations: Edrisa Nyan's Family Locked in Dispute Over Exhumed Grave

 

Photo: Pc Of MK Mosque

By Ousman A. Marong

Amidst deepening family tensions, the recent exhumation of Edrisa Nyan's grave has sparked a bitter dispute among relatives, following failed negotiations between the exhumers, family members of the late Edrisa Nyan and representatives from the Gambia Supreme Islamic Council (GSIC), led by its North Bank Regional Chairman Mr Ebrima Jallow that sought to resolve their conflicting views on his final resting place. As emotions run high, the family grapples with not only grief but also the complexities of tradition and legalities surrounding burial practices.

All negotiations failed as the family of the deceased stood their ground in succumbing to any agreement except that they wanted to see the remains of their father back to his previous grave.

In attendance were the representatives of the chief of the region, a CID officer, representatives of the Gambia Supreme Islamic Council (GSIC), the Imam of the village and family members of the deceased.

Upon failed negotiations between the exhumers and the family of the late village head, the representatives from the GSIC asked the victims to exercise patience and gave them an ultimatum of 3 - days to rethink the issue, and if they remained defiant, then the matter would resort to court.

Here is what the law says about digging graves

In the Gambia, the act of unlawfully digging up a grave and transferring human remains without authorization is addressed under section 205 of the Criminal Code  Act No. 25 of 1993. This section criminalizes trespassing on burial sites and showing disrespect to human corpses. Specifically, it states that anyone who, with the intent to hurt the feelings of others or insult their religion, trespasses on a burial place or offers indignity to a human corpse commits an offence.

Upon conviction, the individual is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years, a fine or both.

Additionally, Section 312 of the same code provides a general punishment for willfully and unlawfully destroying or damaging property. While it does not explicitly mention graves, this section could potentially apply, prescribing a penalty of imprisonment for up to two years for such offences.