The Supreme Court of The Gambia has heard a total of 41 cases from 15 May to 9 June, after a year of inactivity due to absence of judges on its benches.
The Supreme Court has not sat in over a year until its brief impromptu resuscitation to hear Jammeh’s election petition following the disputed December 1 presidential election.
According to a press release issued by the institution yesterday, the court heard six criminal appeals, three disposed of, one reserved for judgment while two appeals were adjourned to the next session.
The court also dismissed the three election petitions that were filed by former president Yahya Jammeh, APRC and Yankuba Colley after receiving application for withdrawal by the petitioners.
The court heard a total of 26 civil appeals of which 8 were disposed, 10 reserved for judgment in their next session and 2 adjourned.
The court also heard 3 civil suits, 1 of which is reserved for judgment while 2 are pending appeals.
Two major review cases were heard, one of which is the GPU versus the Attorney General where the press union is challenging the constitutionality of sedition, criminal defamation and false publication and broadcasting.
The Justice Minister, Abubacar Tambadou, has conceded on the unconstitutionality of all the others except false publication and broadcasting.
And the other review cases involved Lawyer Ousainou Darboe and 19 others who are challenging the constitutionality of the Public Order Act, a constitutional provision on which they were arrested and jailed following April 16 protest.
