By Alhagie Jobe
The Gambia Bar Association (GBA) has appointed Mr Salieu Taal to fill the position of President, replacing Ms Loubna Farage who resigned from the position, The Fatu Network has confirmed.
Ms Farage’s resignation was accepted by the Executive on the 21st June 2016 following somber reflection at a meeting held on the 2nd June 2016.
A letter signed by Abdul Aziz Bensouda, secretary general of the Association and addressed to the Chief Justice and Chairman of the General Legal Council and Attorney General dated June 21st, 2016 confirmed the appointment of Mr Taal to perform the duties of president until the expiry of the 2016 executive term which is in pursuant to Article 12 of the Constitution of The Gambia Bar Association.
“For the sake of clarity, Article 12 provides that if a vacancy occurs in the executive pursuant to Article 9 or due to resignation, death, mental infirmity or otherwise, the Executive may appoint one of their members or a suitable member of the Association to fill and or perform the duties pertaining to the vacant office provided that member satisfies the requirements specified in Article 10. Any person who fills a vacancy pursuant to this article shall remain a member of the executive for the remainder of the term of the member whose place he or she has filled” the Executive noted.
The Association thanked Mr Farage for her commitment and continued devotion to the Bar Association and three and half years of tireless service and contribution to its goals and objectives.
Judicial shake-up
Over the past months, the Gambia’s judiciary was shaken-up by the political case of opposition UDP leader Ousainou Darboe and Co resulting to the resignation and sacking of several senior judiciary officials.
Justice Edrissa Fafa M’bai, former acting president of the Gambia Court of Appeal was replaced by Justice Oluremi Ademola Adegoke, Cherno Marena, Solicitor General was removed as Solicitor General while Barrister Yassin Senghore, Secretary to the General Legal Council is said to have resigned from her position.
Who is Salieu Taal
Mr Taal works in Corporate and IT law since 1999. He is also actively involved in the development of Consumer Rights in the Gambia and is a founder member of the Consumer Association of the Gambia (CPAG).
He is currently the Managing Partner of Temple Legal Practitioner, and has worked as a corporate lawyer in the UK. He graduated with Honors and an LLB from The University of Buckingham, and a Masters of Art in International Relations from The University of Kent. He is a member of the English Bar (inner temple).
