 |
|
| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
Momodou
Denmark
11829 Posts |
 Posted - 28 Sep 2007 : 19:08:38
|
3 New Magistrates Sworn In Office
By Fabakary B. Ceesay
Three new magistrates were on Wednesday 26 September sworn into office. The trio is, Mrs. Kumba Sillah Camara, Mrs. Sainabou Wadda Ceesay and Mrs. Sagar Cecelia Jahateh. They were all members of the Bar, but they later decided to join the magisterial bench.
In her opening remarks, the President of the Bar Association Mrs. Amie Bensouda noted that in The Gambia, the Magisterial bench is mostly drawn from the ranks of law graduates. She said these three did their Bar training and are qualified legal practitioners. She noted that the three magistrates come to the bench with a much richer experience, as hitherto all of them are barristers and solicitors of the High Court of the Gambia. Mrs. Bensouda indicated that for forty years, the bench is still agonizing over judges, magistrates, and state counsels. "We are still wondering around from jurisdiction to jurisdiction begging for lawyers who would serve our people," said Mrs. Bensouda.
In her statement, the Attorney General and Secretary of State for Justice, Mrs. Marie Saine Firdaus said she had worked with all the three sisters when the trio was defence counsels while she was a prosecutor. She pointed out that there is no doubt that the newly appointees are fit and proper persons to serve in the magistracy. SoS Saine Firdaus advised the newly appointed that the path they have chosen is an honourable one and requires each of them to execute their responsibilities with dedication, commitment and diligence without fear or favour, affection or ill will to the best of their abilities. She said the magistracy has been playing a pivotal role in the administration of justice. She threw light on the volume of cases adjudicated at that level. The Attorney General indicated that the task of a magistrate is more challenging, but are in line to ensure widely access to justice. "I would also want to assure you that the Department of State for Justice will continue to work closely with the judiciary in ensuring a better and more efficient administration of Justice, ensuring that Gambians serve as lawyers, judges and magistrates all over the country to make access to justice a reality and bring it closer to the people," she said.
The Chief Justice, Abdou Kareem Savage, highlighted the government's policy to meet 95 per cent Gambianisation by the year 2011. Chief Justice Savage noted that their interventions a re to train and develop the Cadre of magistrates to prepare them for higher judicial functions. The Chief justice explained the three points, which a magistrate should be doing. She said they should be competent, shall havethe ability to utilize the knowledge from their academic and professional training to deliver justice. "Competence requires that judicial officers employ the analytical, interpersonal, leadership, managerial and administrative skills". Justice Savage added that the second part is to do justice. "Doing justice entails playing the game by the rule. It implies fairness, insistence on the due process and the maintenance of the rule of law. Doing justice is ensuring that justice is not only done but is seen to be done. You cannot do justice without adhering to the rules," said Justice Savage. He noted that the third thing is to do justice for no other consideration but for justice itself. Savage told the newly sworn-in magistrates that motivation as magistrates and Judicial officers should at all times be, to deliver justice. "You should not be driven by power, arrogance or material consideration". He said if one does justice but your motivation is for other things order than justice, then your conscience will not allow you to thrive. Justice Savage finally said "You the judge; if you are for the people, the door of goodness would be opened, if you are not for the people, the door of evil and chaos". The vote of thanks on behalf of the newly appointed magistrates was delivered by Magistrate Sainabou Wadda Ceesay. The ceremony was held at the chief Justice office.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 114/2007, 28 - 30 September, 2007
|
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
|
|
jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 29 Sep 2007 : 11:11:47
|
MORE POWER TO THE WOMEN, WATCH SPARKS FLY, they will not tolarate any nonsens,
new broom sweeps clean. |
 |
|
| |
Topic |
|
|
|
| Bantaba in Cyberspace |
© 2005-2024 Nijii |
|
|
|
Topic Locked
