Lamin Sanynag
Gambia’s Chief Justice, Hassan B. Jallow, has Monday, May 15, introduced six newly appointed superior court judges to the bench and bar at a special session held at the High Court in Banjul.
The six newly appointed judges are Justice Nicholas Browne-Marke, Supreme Court Judge. He was a former high profile personality of Sierra-leonean’s justice system.
Justice Cherno Sulayman Jallow, Supreme Court Judge. He is a Gambian national and has served in the AG Chambers before he left for an international assignment.
Justice Mary Mam Yassin Sey, was the first Gambian female judge before leaving for an international job.
Justice Abubacarr Datti Yahya, Supreme Court Judge. A Nigerian national who has once worked in the country’s justice system.
Justice Omar M. M Njie, Court of Appeal Judge. A Gambian national who worked as a lawyer before his new appointment.
Justice Naceesay Sallah Wadda, Court of Appeal Judge, served as a High Court and Court of Appeal Judge before her new appointment.
The session brought together the country’s legal luminaries under one roof to witness the occasion.
Chief Justice Jallow in his introductory remarks congratulated the new superior court judges on their appointments.
“All of them have distinguished careers here and abroad,” Chief Justice Jallow said.
He added: “They will add value to the legal system of the country.”
Jallow told the session that many of the appointed judges are not new in the country while expressing confidence in their ability to deliver and also urged the members of the bar to work with them for the interest of the country.
Speaking on behalf of the President of The Gambia Bar Association, Ms. Senghor told the gathering that the judiciary is the centre of the government. She reminded the session about the petition they filed before the court which she said the bench and bar must respond to positively. She welcomed the appointments of the Gambian judges.
“The Bench and Bar working together will ensure the rule of law in the legal system of the country,” Lawyer Senghor pointed out.
Cherno Marenah, Solicitor General of The Gambia spoke on behalf of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice who is currently out the country. He said the appointment of Chief Justice Jallow has marked a new dawn in The Gambian justice system in respect to the rule of law. He said the judiciary will be more independent.
“The bedrock of any judiciary is its human resources,” Solicitor General asserted.
He added: “Too long we have been boasting about individual legal luminaries but that have not been translated in the general legal system.”
Marenah told the gathering that the Ministry of Justice is cognisant with the commitment of the government to bring the best of the legal system of the country by taking resources to bring the very brains of the country on board.
Meanwhile, many of the newly appointed superior court judges took turns in calling on the veteran lawyers present in the likes of Antouman Gaye, Surahata Janneh, Amie Bensouda and others to take up positions of judges.
