By Omar Bah
President Adama Barrow has described the current heightened security situation of the country as a “great concern” to his government.
He was presiding over the swearing-in ceremony of Justice Amina-Saho recommended by the Judicial Service Commission for appointment as a Justice of the Court of Appeal.
“I must state with honesty that the current security situation in The Gambia is of great concern to the Government, but I believe that it is equally troubling to the Judiciary,” President Barrow said at State House yesterday.
“As a result of this,” Barrow went on, ”the congestion of the prison remand wings and other shortcomings in our criminal justice system that can hinder our response capability to the rising crime rate need to be examined urgently, and appropriate solutions sought and administered.
Mindful of the crucial role of the Judiciary in a democracy, all of us have to continue supporting the Judiciary for the fulfilment of our collective aspirations of promoting, protecting and enforcing the rule of law and respect for fundamental human rights in The Gambia. A well-functioning independent and transparent Judiciary is an indispensable asset for a democracy such as ours”.
He said public trust and confidence are key values that the Judiciary should always propagate in the administration and dissemination of justice.
“In this way, sustainable peace and development would be achieved more readily,” Barrow said.
Turning to Justice Amina-Saho, he stated: “It is certainly not by dint of luck, but by virtue of hard work, talent, experience and trust that the Honourable Justice Saho Ceesay was recommended by the Judicial Service Commission for appointment.
“While I warmly congratulate her and her family on this meritorious elevation to The Gambia Court of Appeal as a Justice of the Court, I trust that her presence will entrench the work ethics of the legal profession in the country and further solidify the jurisprudence of the Court of Appeal.”
