The National Assembly has unanimously passed the Legal Practitioners Amendment Bill at the Legislative Chambers in Banjul.
The amended bill has increased the Bar Association membership to 4 seats in the country’s 9 member General Legal Council among other things.
Speaking to the country’s lawmakers, the Attorney General and Minister of Justice Abubacarr Tambadou has emphasized the importance of expanding the democratic space by preventing any attempt of power abuse in the New Gambia.
Attorney General Tambadou strongly articulated his disapproval of the office of the Attorney General to be the sole signatory to bills approve by the National Assembly to become laws.
“Why should you allow the Attorney General to be the sole signatory,” Justice Minister Abubacarr Tambadou asked.
“It is a tool for abuse,” he added.
The Attorney General said concerns should be raise to stop the abuse otherwise the trend would continue for any subsequent Attorney General in the future, saying the new government is very prepared for self regulatory reforms.
Member for Serrekunda, Halifa Sallah asked why the Chief Justice and the Attorney General who are both government officials are also be the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of the General Legal Council, saying one of the positions should be given to the Bar Association. It was explained to him that the Chief Justice is the highest office of the judiciary while the Attorney General is technically head of the Bar and also principal adviser to the President.
The Member for Wuli West, Honorable Sidia Jatta on his part commended the bill noting that law students should spend adequate time with experienced practitioners before representing people in courts.
Member for Upper Fulladu West, Honourable Dawda K Jawara also spoke about the need to encouraged homegrown membership of the Bar. He commended the amendment on the Attorney General’s sole signatory to assent laws.
He added that the bill should be formally passed by deputies and assented to by the president to become law instead of the Attorney General’s signature.
