I
am directed by the executive committee of the above named trade union which is
the umbrella trade movement consist of 17 registered trade unions to make this
statement to urge outgoing president to reconsider his decision and hand over
power peacefully to ADAMA BARROW in the interest of the Gambian people and
accept the will of God and respect the will of the people.
According
to section 125 after 18 months of the coming into force of the 1997
constitution which shall consist of the chief justice and not less than four
justice of the supreme court such judge
of the court of appeal as the chief
justice may by writing under his or her hand select to sit in the
supreme court for determination of particular cause or matter and section 138 of the constitution
of the Gambia states that chief justice
shall be appointed by the president and
all other judges of the supreme court
except other judges of the special criminal court shall be appointed by the
president under the recommendation of
the judicial service commission by a warrant, signed by the president and seal with the public seal and before assuming the functions of his or her office, a judge the superior courts shall
take the prescribed oaths. Since the
panels of judges were dismissed in 2015 to date followed with series of
petitions through the chief justice by the Bar to put in place the panel of
judges without any action been done up to date.
Therefore,
no one can judge him or herself and as at now is to too late to put in place
the operational mechanism of the Supreme Court or else if done the Gambian
people will contemplate or assume that is done due to your own personal
interest and convenience and no one could judge himself. Thus, section 6 and 49
of the constitution has dismissed your claim. We recognized all the efforts you
rendered in developing our dear beloved motherland the Gambia president Sheikh
Professor Dr Yahya A.J.J Jammeh Babili Mansa to hand over power to the incoming
president Adama Barrow peacefully in the interest of the Gambia people whom to
you said you love very much and accept the well of God and respect the will of
the people as no condition is permanent and leave a legacy.
We
congratulate Adama Barrow on his victory.
Yours
Sincerely
Ebrima
Garba Cham
