| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
kayjatta
2978 Posts |
 Posted - 23 Feb 2006 : 21:48:43
|
A few weeks ago the Gambian judiciary appeared to be in a turmoil when the Bar Association called a "strike" to express the difficult state of affairs at the third arm of the government .
The Gambia had relied on import-judges for a very long time , and I was troubled by the possible impact of this on the quality of justice in our country , especially considering the recent uproar over Justice Paul , and the trial of Halifa and others .
However , it is reassuring today to learn that the Chairman has appointed the first Gambian Chief Justice in the history of our nation.This is the statement culled from Gambian newspapers:
"President Yahya Jammeh has appointed Justice Abdou Karim Savage the country's Chief Justice. He is the first-ever Gambian to hold the post".
This is very welcoming , yet long overdue .In my view ,it could be the start of the realization of true independence of the Gambian judiciary , even though the Chairman doubts the existence of an independent judiciary anywhere in the world as stated in this words below :
"Speaking at the occasion, the Gambian leader said there had never been and there would never be an independent judiciary anywhere in the world, as the judiciary were appointed by the executive arm of the government".
The independence of the judiciary does not lie in the fact that it is appointed by the executive ( the president). Rather it lies in the fact that judges are free to interpret the law and decide cases without fear (of losing their job ,among other reprissals ) or favor.
In many free countries this could be achieved by guaranteeing a life-term for judicial appointees .I hope the Gambia will take this important next step shortly .
Our judicial branch need not only be a police department , ensuring public order. It needs to pursue what is fair and protect the people from aggressive governments .
|
|
|
kayjatta
2978 Posts |
Posted - 10 Mar 2006 : 02:51:24
|
HERE IS A CONGRATULATORY REMARK BY DR. CARROL TO THE GAMBIA'S NEWLY APPOINTED CHIEF JUSTICE SAVAGE.
THIS PIECE IS CULLED FROM THE DAILY OBSERVER NEWSPAPER.
JUST MARVEL AT THE ELOQUENCE AND STYLE OF CARROL'S LANGUAGE.
Dr. Henry Darlington Richmond Carrol
Warm greetings from the land-locked, Southern African Republican State of Zimbabwe, where I recently represented The Gambia, at the inauguration ceremony of the newly-constructed African Regional Industrial Property Organization (ARIPO) Training Centre, by the Vice President of Zimbabwe, Her Excellency, Comrade Madame Joyce Mjuru.
Upon my return home from the aforesaid trip, I was indeed highly elated and thrilled to bits, to learn about the exceeding good news in respect of your elevation to the exalted, coveted and prestigious post of Lord Chief Justice of The Gambia.
By dint of hardwork, scholarship and excellence, you have indeed made legal history, by becoming the first Gambian Chief Justice, thereby breaking new grounds, and attaining the apogee of Zenith of your professional career, in The Commonwealth Republic of The Gambia.
Indeed it goes without saying, that the Gambianization of the aforesaid post was long overdue, taking due cognizance of the fact that, February 18 2006, we celebrated with pomp, ceremony and gusto, The Gambia's 41st Independence Anniversary. It was therefore quite scandalous, to be still having a non-Gambian Chief Justice, notwithstanding the longetivity of our National status, as an Independent Sovereign State, coupled with the availability of suitably qualified Gambians like your good and humble self, to fill the aforesaid post.
Let me avail my humble self, of this golden window of opportunity at my disposal, to extend my mammoth felicitations to you, for this well-deserved honour, that is very fitting for a true patriot like you. I am conceptually and evidentially certain, that you will indeed leave your enduring and indelible footprints, on the proverbial "Sand of time". Let us pray incessantly for the Great God ALMIGHTY, to grant you the faith, courage, spirit and determination, to administer "Even handed justice" (William Shakespeare) "without fear or favour, affection or ill will".
Indeed, the Wheels of destiny are grinding slowly but surely, which "no person born of a woman" (William Shakespeare from his play entitled - "MACBETH"), can delay stop or reverse. As the Daily Observer's Dr. Owl so magnificently puts it on the 21st of February, 2006 - "Every thing works at God's command".
The erudite and celebrated Hymn Writer, Mr Eorg Neumark (1621-1681), also expressed similar sentiments, when he wrote under a powerful divine inspiration in the eventful 17th century.
"God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform
He plants his footsteps in the sea
And rides upon the storm".
Indeed in the fullness of time, all the man-made storms of our lives in this transitory world, would certainly come to a definitive end, at just one stroke of God's powerful and invincible hand. Your wise, old dad, Uncle Francis Savage, who attends the same church as my humble self (i.e. the Wesley Methodist Church), can confirm beyond the shadow of doubt, the mammoth truism that is deeply embedded in the aforesaid Hymn.
I am sure, he would enjoy reading every bit of it. The longevity of his years in this transitory world, has in my honest opinion, made him an admirable and affectionate "Methusela" of our times, and a veritable philosopher in his own right.
In his powerful and widely acclaimed sermon at the Wesley Methodist Church last Sunday February 26, 2006, the Chairman and General Superintendent of The Gambia Methodist Christian Council, the Rev Norman Grigg, using the biblical story of Elija's succession by prophet Elisa, and the biblical story of the Transfiguration as points of reference, said "You have taken over your predecessor's mantle, therefore the task is now yours". May the Good Lord be with you day and night, as you execute your new, noble and Rt Honorable task, as the first Gambian Lord Chief Justice. "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step", as the aged-old and time honoured adage goes. Let me end this congratulatory message by quoting in extenso, a stanza from a well-known poem entitled "The Psalm of Life", which was ably authored by the erudite and scholarly American poet, Mr Henry Longfellow.
"Lives of great men all remind us that we can make our lives sublime and departing leave behind us foot prints on the sands of time".
Deputy Solicitor General and Registrar of Companies at the Attorney General's Chambers and the department of state for Justice.
|
 |
|
|
kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 10 Mar 2006 : 21:41:11
|
jAMMEH IS CONGRATULATED FOR THIS BOLD MOVE. I HOPE HE (SAVAGE) IS ABLE TO MAIN INDEPENDENCE AND RESIST UNDUE INFLUENCE IN THE DIPENSATION OF JUSTICE. JUSTICE IS BLIND AND THE KNIFE MUST CUT NO MATTER WHO. ONLY THAT WAY CAN WE HAVE A SOCIETY BASED ON THE PRINCIPLES OF EQUITY, TRANPARENCY, HUMILTY AND THE DEATH OF PATRONAGE.
A JOURNEY OF A 1000 MILES BEGINS WITH A STEP. |
“When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it--always.” |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
|
|
Topic Locked
