Honourable Justice Esther Awo Ota was yesterday sworn -in at State House as a new High Court Judge following her appointment on the first of Novermber , 2006.

She took her oath of allegiance to office and secrecy before The Gambian leader, President Yahya Jammeh. In attendance was the Chief Justice, the Attorney-General and some Secretaries of State.

Speaking at the swearing-in-ceremony, President Yahya Jammeh thanked Justice Esther Awo Ota for accepting the challenges.

President Jammeh told Justice Ota that her appointment as a High Court judge was based on her track record when she was a Magistrate in The Gambia. “We were very satisfied with your performance when you were a Magistrate and when you left, we regretted it, but thank God you are back. You were here for 9 years. So, the issue of back-log of cases is not news to you. We should not allow people who are not facing justice to delay our justice delivery” he said.

He said, capital offence cases are mostly treated within a month as well as murder cases. But in The Gambia, it takes more time and it is as well treated as a normal case. “It is difficult for the police to investigate a case because some eye witnesses would not want to come to court for fear of going to court for more than 10 years when they have other things to do”.
This according to President Jammeh, is not good for the application of the rule of law. “Well this is your maxim-Justice delayed is justice denied”.

The Gambian leader said, there is no where in the world were you have an independent judiciary. He said they can be independent in the dispensation of justice, but added that the decision of the judge should not be influenced by others.

President Jammeh also observed that the decision of a judge should be based on the interest of the people. “As far as the government is concerned, we will not interfere in your decision making. Sometimes, we interfere when we are not satisfied by appealing. What is important is the fact that the laws of The Gambia are here for the protection of every Gambian.” President Jammeh suggested that the Chief Justice should identify Qadis for overseas training.

Kebba Sanyang, the Attorney-General, for his part thanked the Gambian leader for giving Justice Ota another opportunity to serve the Gambian people. ”Justice Ota is not unknown to the Gambian people. She has served the judiciary as a Magistrate and rose to the position of Principal Magistrate.” I hope that with your appointment as a High Court judge, the backlog of cases will be reduced”.

For his part, Abdou Karim Savage, the Chief Justice, on behalf of the Judiciary thanked President Jammeh for his landslide victory in November 22 presidential elections. He said since the appointment of Justice Ota , she has been committed to work. ”I gave her 250 cases to take care of from Novermber 1, 2006. I have no doubt that she will leave up to expectations.”

He finally thanked president Jammeh for giving 5 vehicles to the judiciary.

In a brief statement shortly after her oath, Justice Esther Awo Ota also thank the Gambian leader for accorded her the opportunity to serve onces more in The Gambia.” I want to assure the President and the general public that i will honour my oath of office to dispense justice without fear or favour”.