Bensouda’s lawyers issue cease & desist order with D144M defamation claim

The letter dated 16 May 2025 through Mrs. Bensouda’s legal counsel, Senior Lawyer Antouman A.B. Gaye, seeks D144 million in damages for “defamation” and “malicious falsehood.”

Mrs. Bensouda, a veteran lawyer of 44 years experience and managing partner of Amie Bensouda & Co. L.P., is a prominent figure in the Gambian legal and academic landscape. She currently serves as a senior lecturer at the Gambia Law School, a member of the General Legal Council, and advises several regulatory and financial institutions both within The Gambia and internationally.

In the letter, Lawyer Gaye underlined that his client has “built a professional reputation grounded in the highest standards of ethics, integrity, and professionalism,” citing her work with the World Bank, the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators in London, and various public bodies across Africa. “She is a senior citizen of standing, held in high regard both within The Gambia and internationally,” the letter stated.

According to the letter, Mr. Kurang of persistently alleged that Mrs. Bensouda engaged in unethical behaviour during her role in the Janneh Commission constitutional of inquiry which was investigating the financial dealings of former President Yahya Jammeh and his associates. It specifically refutes allegations that Bensouda profited from the sale of assets seized by the Commission, claiming that Kurang falsely accused her of involvement in “shady dealings” and conflicts of interest.

Lawyer Gaye clarified that “the Commission had no authority or control over the sale, auction, or valuation of assets,” and stressed that Mrs. Bensouda played no role in their disposal. “Our client is of the view, and we agree, that Alagie Mamadi Kurang’s persistent actions aforesaid were and are malicious,” he added.

According to court documents, Kurang has, since 2018, used various platforms to continue what is described as a “campaign of harassment,” often referring to Mrs. Bensouda using coded or derogatory terms such as “mafia,” “Musukumba,” “Gupta(s),” and “corrupt woman”

Kurang is now given seven days from the date of the letter to retract and cease all defamatory conduct or face court action. The lawsuit also reveals that Mrs. Bensouda has engaged legal counsel in London regarding potential proceedings against Meta Platforms Inc., whose platform was allegedly used to disseminate the defamatory content.