Press Statement : Rule of Law under siege in Gambia as authorities sack Magistrate Court Judge

A principal magistrate at the Kanifing  Magistrate court, Buba Jawo was on September 29, 2008 sacked from the Judicial Service of the Gambia.
In a letter terminating his appointment, he was directed to hand over all court materials in his possesion to Abdoulie Mbacke, a senior judge of the same court.

Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) sources reported that the letter from a High Court official was  served in the middle of the day, where Jawo was said to be on a short break outside of his Chambers.

Although no reasons were assigned for the judge’s dismissal, Gambians are expressing concern about the general lack of respect for the rule of law in the Gambia. The government has continuously  threatened and undermined the judiciary in the country making it difficult for lawyers to defend their clients who may have issues with the government.

Jawo is a known supporter of the regime  of President Yahya Jammeh  who violates with impunity  human rights of Gambian citizens. Journalists such as Fatou Jaw Manneh, a female US-based Gambian journalist and Lamin Fatty, a reporter of the banned Banjul-based The  Independent newspaper in 2007 were handed outrageous fines by Jawo.

Scores of Gambians including  a former Speaker of Parliament, lawyers, security officers under the regime have been picked up and detained for long periods.

Media Foundation for West Africa 

The MFWA is a regional independent, non-profit, non-governmental organization based in Accra. It was founded in 1997 to defend and promote the rights and freedom of the media and all forms of expression.