Melville Robertson Roberts, a former director at the ministry of foreign affairs, has taken The Gambia government to the Ecowas court for depriving him of access to fair trial.
Melville was charged with rape two years ago when at least 5 women claimed he sexually assaulted them.
The case dragged on for months before a police investigation appeared to have cleared him but the justice ministry proceeded to charge him in absentia.
Writing on his Facebook, the embattled lawyer said: “I have on 4th November, 2021 brought an action before the Ecowas Court in Abuja against the Republic of The Gambia for what I believe to be gross violations of my fundamental human rights amongst other things including but not limited to the unlawful removal of large amounts of jewelries belong to my late mother including gold, silver, pearls, African beads and other precious ornaments by the Gambia police force.
I have unsuccessfully tried to get these items back for nearly 2 and a half years but it has been impossible as the items are nowhere to be found. As a lawyer, I have fought social media battles on social media and I will fight legal battles within the halls of justice; the courts.
Melville is claiming $500,000 in damages, while asking the court to demand government publish the police investigation report.
