The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dawda A.A. Jallow, has been requested to provide justification for the transition from the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) to the State Intelligence Services (SIS) without the National Assembly’s (NA) consent.
The minister responded to the inquiry posed by Hon. Sainey Jawara, Member for Lower Saloum, by stating that “Section 191 of the Constitution establishes a National Intelligence Agency that is under the President’s control.” Furthermore, he stated, “The National Intelligence Agency Act shall govern the NIA, subject to the National Assembly’s acts and the constitution’s provisions.”
“In addition, the National Intelligence Agency Act’s Section 2 statutorily establishes the NIA, as it is referred to in the Constitution.” The NIA’s name or structure would necessitate a legislative amendment, which must be reviewed and approved by this Honourable Assembly prior to implementation. I can, however, verify that a draft bill is presently in the works to address this issue, and it was draughted in accordance with the NIA’s instructions,” he stated.
“This draft bill has been submitted to the National Intelligence Agency for their feedback and observations. Subsequent actions will be taken in due course to guarantee that it complies with the requisite legal and constitutional standards.”
The minister also stated that the name was altered prior to his appointment. “I discovered it there, so I am uncertain as to the circumstances surrounding the name change,” he stated.
“When asked about the legal implications of their actions in utilising the term “SIS” prior to its approval by the National Assembly?”
The minister stated that the inquiry will necessitate him to provide a legal opinion, which he is unwilling to provide.
