Two legal luminaries, Justice Akomeye Agim and Justice Madubochi Azubuike Paul, were yesterday sworn-in as President and member of the Court of Appeal, respectively.

The two, who are described as the best among the whole lot, took an oath of allegiance, secrecy and office before President Yahya Jammeh at State House.

Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony, the Gambian leader thanked the two for accepting yet another challenge. President Jammeh commenting on the appointment of the two justices, said it was not easy to make a decision on appointing or accepting recommendation for appointing people in certain positions with regards to the judiciary system where people are dealing with the fate of human beings.  The Gambian leader said “we live in a system of check and balance. Since we took over this country, my motto has always been and would always be transparency, accountability and probity.  I know that this can only be proven in a system where the rule of law is supreme.”  President Jammeh said transparency, accountability and probity can only exist in a situation where there is absolute peace and tranquility. “There should be a system where all aggrieved citizens can seek redress,” he noted. This system, according to President Jammeh, must ensure fair play and justice. He added there cannot be a system of humanity without the rule of law.

According to President Jammeh, “apart from the criminals nobody can dispute that the two justices are the best The Gambia can ever think of”. He then thanked the two for living up to expectation and their exemplary lifestyle.

For her part, Dr Aja Isatou Njie-Saidy, Vice- President, said in running a country all the three arms of the government must be efficient and effective.

She said the efficiency of a judge is his benchmark. She added that the backlog of cases in the courts, which have been dragging over the years, has been a concern to the President. She said government is going all out to make the judiciary functional. The government, she said, has over the years provided court facilities at the centralised level, and capacity-building to ensure that the courts work and justice reaches the door steps of the Gambian people. She also encouraged Gambians to accept sitting on the bench to complement the efforts of our friends.  She then thanked the two for accepting the challenges.

Abdou Karim Savage, the Chief Justice, for his part, said the Court of Appeal has not been sitting and cases have been there from 1996 to 2001, but with the appointment of the two justices, all those cases have been properly dealt with. He described the two justices as hardworking judges, who are ever willing to do their best at all times.

Speaking earlier, Justice Akomaye Agim of the Court of Appeal expressed gratitude to the Gambian leader for giving him further opportunity to continue to contribute to humanity, through the judiciary. He also thanked President Jammeh, on behalf of his colleague, Justice Paul, for elevating him and also giving him a further opportunity, in this honourable office of humanity. He also thanked President Jammeh for counting them worthy. He promised that the confidence President Jammeh has bestowed on them will never be misplaced. He also hailed President Jammeh for his breakthrough in curing people affected and infected with HIV/Aids.