Jammeh praises Nigeria, others for support to Gambia’s Judiciary -As new Judge, Foreign Minister are sworn-in

“We want to use this opportunity to thank our friends and my colleague heads of state, most particularly Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, Zambia and Pakistan for being very instrumental in ensuring the dispensation of justice in The Gambia. I want to thank Nigeria for having given The Gambia the highest number of legal luminaries from 1994 to date,” the president affirmed.

The Gambian leader hastened to remind that he was sworn to uphold the nation’s sacred book, vowing to ensure that laws promulgated by the country’s legislature are enforced to the letter. “These laws were promulgated by the National Assembly that represents the people of The Gambia. So that being the case nobody from outside can dictate us on our laws other than the Gambian people and those who are under these laws,” he stressed.

Legal reform

The Gambian leader also used the occasion to suggest, for a “complete reform of the legal system to be in tandem with the African and religious believes”. “I think that is the only way we would be able to make sure that justice is dispensed and expeditiously without any doubt. We cannot call ourselves independent when our laws are originate from an outside culture that is alien to us,” he opined.

To this end, he congratulated the chief Justice and all those in the legal sector for what he called the “mark improvement” in the dispensation of justice in the country. However, he was quick to raise eyebrows on the “increasing alarming rate of voire dire” – trial within trial –; something he observed is “becoming very common in the courts now”. “I think the lawyers should be fair enough to their clients especially to those in detention when they [lawyers] knew their clients cannot be bailed,” he said.

Commenting on the appointments of the two, the president thanked them for accepting the challenges, and described their various portfolios as important. While recognising the role of a Foreign Affairs minister as a “bridge builder”, the president also described the judge as one that “builds peace and ensures there is justice in the country”. “These are all very challenging positions,” he added. 

“As long as what you are doing is right, fear nobody. This is why we should take our oaths very seriously. Do your duty without ill-will, affection or favour,” the president told the newly sworn in officials, who took three oaths of secrecy, allegiance and office.

The vice president and Women’s Affairs minister, Her Excellency Aja Dr. Isatou Njie-Saidy, also enjoined the officials in relation to their new responsibilities, while assuring them of their support at all times. 

Affirming that the doors of the presidency are always open, the veep was quick to bring to fore, the gigantic developments registered by the government over the past 19 years. She joined The Gambian leader to thank sister African countries for always being supportive to The Gambia’s judiciary.

The new Foreign Minister, Dr. Abubacarr Senghore, expressed his gratitude to the president for the trust and confidence bestowed on him, assuring of his commitment to give his best to the national call to service. 

 “I am indeed humbled by the trust and confidence he has on me to appoint me minister of Foreign Affairs. This was the greatest surprise for me throughout my life. I had never ever expected this type of appointment. However, any position of authority is a source of responsibility and not a source of enjoyment or privilege,” Minister Senghore, a career academic and scholar remarked.

“I hope that the president and my colleagues will be behind me to help and guide me through. I hope that Allah would help me and the rest of us. We in the academia what we know is the truth,” he said.

The new Supreme Court judge, Justice Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen, also expressed his gratitude to the Gambian authorities for the honour to sit at the country’s constitutional court, assuring of his commitment to deliver the goods as required.

Justice Onnoghen went downmemory lane to recollect the longstanding relationship between the Nigerian judiciary and The Gambia, which he said spanned over many years back. “We have up to seven Nigerians on the Bench of the Supreme Court of The Gambia. So I promise you and the good people of The Gambia my very best because I believe only the best will be good for Africa,” he assured.

Other speakers at the ceremony included the minister of Fisheries and Water Resources, Mass Axi Gye; the Attorney General and minister of Justice, Mama Fatima Singhateh and the chief justice of The Gambia, Mabel A. Agyemang, who all assured the new officials of their support at all times.