Judicial officials and members of the Gambia Bar Association, yesterday, affirmed their commitment towards strengthening and implementing the code of conduct for the Gambian Judiciary, after extensive discussions.

Members of the Bench and the Bar Association made this resounding commitment at a one-day public lecture, organised by the Office of the Chief Justice, at Courtroom No 1 at the High Court complex, Banjul.

The rare public lecture brought together judges of the Supreme and High Courts, magistrates and lawyers.

Justice Niki Tobi of the Supreme Courts of the Republic of Nigeria and The Gambia, who appeared as the guest speaker, spoke at length on the need for strict and uncompromising observation for the judicial code of conduct, especially for judges, lawyers and magistrates.

Justice Tobi gave analysis of interpretation of the difference between interim, interlocutory and perpetual injunctions.

He urged judges and lawyers to stick to the principles of exercising impartial justice and the basic tenets of the laws of the land.

According to the learned judge, the 1997 Constitution of The Gambia provides a provision on the code of conduct, which is applicable to judges as public officials.

The public lecture was characterised by a question-and-answer session, bordering on the need for strict observation of the judicial code of conducts by judicial officials.

The ceremony was chaired by Chief Justice Abdou Karim Savage and the vote of thanks was delivered by Amie Bensouda, the president of the Gambia Bar Association, who assured the gathering of the Bar’s commitment to the holding of a regular public lecture.

Emmanuel Fagbenle, the director of Public Prosecution (DPP), who represented Mrs Marie Saine-Firdaus, the attorney general and secretary of state for Justice, commended the organisers for the initiative.