Dr Ceesay rejects GBA concerns over delay in constitutional case
The government has rejected concerns raised by the Gambia Bar Association (GBA) over delays in assigning a constitutional case involving the Chief Justice, insisting that there is no deliberate attempt to stall the proceedings. Dr Ismaila Ceesay, Minister of Information and Broadcasting, said the government respected the rule of law and the independence of institutions, including the judiciary, but declined to discuss the details of the case because it was still before the courts. Speaking during an interview on Coffee Time with Peter Gomez, Dr Ceesay dismissed the Bar Association’s suggestion that the delay could create a troubling perception that the proceedings were being deliberately held back. “One thing I can confirm is that this government respects the rule of law and promotes the independence of independent institutions like the National Assembly and the judiciary,” he said. The GBA had raised concerns that the constitutional case had remained without assignment for more than three months. It also questioned why the case file was forwarded to the Chief Justice for corrections when he was himself a defendant in the matter. The association warned that the delay created a legitimate and troubling perception that the proceedings might have been deliberately stalled. However, Dr Ceesay described this as the association’s opinion, saying the government did not accept that interpretation. “This is an opinion, it’s not a fact. It’s an opinion and it’s an opinion of the Bar Association. We don’t believe, we don’t accept this opinion,” he said. He maintained that there was no deliberate intention by the government to delay the case, adding that the legal process would take its course. “The Bar Association has a right to their opinion and they have a right to be worried that it’s taking a long time,” he said. Asked whether the matter should be completely removed from the Chief Justice’s hands, Dr Ceesay declined to give a direct response, saying he did not want to make comments that could later be used against him in court. He also encouraged the Bar Association to continue engaging the government, insisting that every case deserved due process and consideration.
Black News 
The government has rejected concerns raised by the Gambia Bar Association (GBA) over delays in assigning a constitutional case involving the Chief Justice, insisting that there is no deliberate attempt to stall the proceedings.
Dr Ismaila Ceesay, Minister of Information and Broadcasting, said the government respected the rule of law and the independence of institutions, including the judiciary, but declined to discuss the details of the case because it was still before the courts.
Speaking during an interview on Coffee Time with Peter Gomez, Dr Ceesay dismissed the Bar Association’s suggestion that the delay could create a troubling perception that the proceedings were being deliberately held back.
“One thing I can confirm is that this government respects the rule of law and promotes the independence of independent institutions like the National Assembly and the judiciary,” he said.
The GBA had raised concerns that the constitutional case had remained without assignment for more than three months. It also questioned why the case file was forwarded to the Chief Justice for corrections when he was himself a defendant in the matter.
The association warned that the delay created a legitimate and troubling perception that the proceedings might have been deliberately stalled.
However, Dr Ceesay described this as the association’s opinion, saying the government did not accept that interpretation.
“This is an opinion, it’s not a fact. It’s an opinion and it’s an opinion of the Bar Association. We don’t believe, we don’t accept this opinion,” he said.
He maintained that there was no deliberate intention by the government to delay the case, adding that the legal process would take its course.
“The Bar Association has a right to their opinion and they have a right to be worried that it’s taking a long time,” he said.
Asked whether the matter should be completely removed from the Chief Justice’s hands, Dr Ceesay declined to give a direct response, saying he did not want to make comments that could later be used against him in court.
He also encouraged the Bar Association to continue engaging the government, insisting that every case deserved due process and consideration.
