Four Nigerian lawyers paid courtesy call on VP

Friday, December 12, 2008
After a successful 8 year mission at the judicial department of The Gambia, four renowned Nigerian lawyers, yesterday, paid a courtesy call on the vice president, Aja Dr Isatou Njie-Saidy, at her office at State House in Banjul.

Dr Agim, the former president of the Appeal Court; Emmanuel Fagbanle, the former director of public prosecution (DPP); Grace Mowoe and Dr Olulana were at the state house to bid farewell to Vice President Njie Saidy, at the end of their term of duty. The four have been serving as part of the Nigerian Technical Assistance Corps mission (TAC).

Speaking to reporters shortly after their audience with the vice president, Dr Henry Carrol, Solicitor General and Legal Secretary of The Gambia, said he was overwhelmed with mixed feeling, pointing to track record of the departing lawyers. "They have done well for The Gambia," he said.

According to him, the friendship between Nigeria and The Gambia has been a longstanding one which benefits both countries. Dr Agim told reporters that his experience in The Gambia had been an interesting and challenging one. But he noted that despite all the challenges they had achieved something positive at the end of the day. "We are doing a good job, that is, serving humanity. Gambians are satisfied with our work," he said.

Emmanuel Fagbanle, the former Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), said his experience over the past years had been based on his interaction with the people. This, he said, had offered them the opportunity to make good friends. He said that he saw a bright future for The Gambian judiciary system.

"Today, the legal system in The Gambia is moving forward as the judiciary is empowered with mature people. I think with the law in place, The Gambia will achieve something good in the near future," he posited. For Grace Mowoe, the only female among the lot, coming to The Gambia had been a tremendous achievement.

She said that she remained confident that the legal system in the country can be compared with any legal system in Africa.

"I thank God for enabling us to represent our country to international level," sshe said. The four were led to State House by the Attorney General and Secretary of state for Justice, Marie Saine Firdaw, and Dr Henry Carrol, the Solicitor General and the Legal Secretary.

Author: by Sheriff Janko