In Evergreen Loving Memory Of A Learned Silk And Senior Gambian Advocate, A True National Icon, A Legendary Statesman, A Quintessential Public Servant And A Cherished Mentor: The Late Lawyer Ousman Sillah!!!
Let us join other family members, friends and former colleagues, today, albeit with a heavy heart and deep sorrow, to mourn the untimely passing away of Lawyer Ousman Sillah, our beloved “Kortor” elder brother at the advanced age of 86.
Lawyer Ousman Sillah was one of our greatest national legal luminaries with the greatest passion for his legal practice.
Lawyer Ousman Sillah was not only an outstanding legal practitioner but he was also an outstanding man of wisdom.
As a devoted Bar man, he was well respected and loved by everyone that came across him, especially by all of his colleagues in the legal profession.
Through dedication to his practice and hard work, Lawyer Ousman Sillah was one of the Best Senior Advocates, indeed one of the finest and brightest Learned Silks of The Gambia and for that matter the crème de la crème that the Gambian legal profession had ever had.
As a matter of fact, Lawyer Ousman Sillah became one of our most outstanding defence lawyers and represented clients in a number of high-profile cases, while also acting as a legal commentator on current affairs programmes.
It had always been a pleasure for us to hear from him on issues that he had felt strongly about, such that we will continue to miss his wisdom and good sense.
Lawyer Ousman Sillah had always been a marvellous advocate but more than that he was a fierce campaigner for his beliefs both on a personal and professional level.
Lawyer Ousman Sillah will always be seen and regarded as a beautiful man of deep intellect, humility and humour.
But there is far more to Lawyer Ousman Sillah than his time in wig and gown.
Whilst he was one of those most well-read and well-heard Gambian individuals one could encounter, Lawyer Ousman Sillah was also a man who was full of fun, compassion and ready to assist anyone - (colleague or not) - in any way that he could.
As such, he would willingly and readily provide an ear to those who needed his wisdom, could put a smile on the face of the sullen, inspire a laugh from those engrossed in sadness, and even create a healthy conversation in the solemnest of rooms.
Besides, Lawyer Ousman Sillah had always exhibited an extraordinary gift of leadership and character with a bold and innovative vision that greatly inspired all who have had the privilege of coming into close contact with him.
In sum, Lawyer Ousman Sillah was a tested and trusted leader with enduring legacies of service at various levels and capacities, notably as a former Police officer, a former Aide de Camp of the late Gambian President Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara, and subsequently as a renowned and respected defence advocate.
He was also an excellent footballer of the Gambia national team in the 60s.
As such, he was among the first 11 who defeated Senegal (with the score of 3 - 2) in 1962 in Dakar (Senegal) during the Kwame Nkrumah football Trophy matches.
In so being, he also later became president of the Gambia Football Association (GFA) - 1989 to 1990.
Lawyer Ousman Sillah was equally an extraordinary mentor who cared passionately about the welfare and empowerment of not only his subordinates and colleagues but indeed of all and sundry.
A brilliant minded role model for effective service delivery, which excited the hopes and aspirations of others, Lawyer Ousman Sillah would remain the consummate gentleman to the corps whose acute sense of justice and of fair play was both quite outstanding and second to none.
Lawyer Ousman Sillah certainly epitomized competence, excellence, selflessness, loyalty, dedication, resilience and sacrifice in the service of his fellow human beings.
This quintessential gentleman of the Bar had also been a pacesetter with uncommon capacity to bequeath transformational legacies of service.
Lawyer Ousman Sillah had therefore undoubtedly been one of our greatest national legal luminaries, nay one of our most brilliant minds with the greatest passion for his legal practice and for the rule of law.
Lawyer Ousman Sillah had also not only been an outstanding legal practitioner but also an outstanding man of wisdom, vision and foresight.
As a devoted Bar man, he was well respected and loved by everyone that came across him, especially by all of his colleagues in the legal profession.
Through dedication to his practice and hardwork, Lawyer Ousman Sillah was one of the Best Senior Advocates, indeed one of the finest and brightest Learned Silks of The Gambia and for that matter that the Gambian legal profession had ever had.
Most unfortunately, Lawyer Ousman Sillah was the first high profile Gambian to be targeted by the former Gambian dictator Yahya Jammeh's hit squad, the “Jungulers”.
He was lucky to survive an assassination attempt in December 2003.
For merely carrying out his job and defending Baba Jobe, a perceived enemy of the Jammeh dictorship, but in line with the ethics of his legal profession, Defence Lawyer Ousman Sillah had to pay the heavy price from the Gambia’s brutal tyranny, state-sponsored lawlessness and high-handed repression.
In sum and undeniably, Lawyer Ousman Sillah remains and will always be one of the Gambia’s best as he embodied all that is best in us, as Gambians.
Lastly, Lawyer Ousman Sillah had also been a wonderful community man, the sociable socialite “Ndongo Banjul”, who had always been a readily willing and an amiable stalwart in the various Gambian communities both at home and abroad.
Now, alas, Lawyer Ousman Sillah, a titanic figure, a true patriot, a deeply religious man, a resplendent lighthouse, a shining and an inspirational beacon has left us.
Yes, a big loss to his family but also to our country, The Gambia, to our neighbouring Senegal and to our continent, Africa.
May the Almighty God, Allah, forgive his shortcomings, if any and grant him a high place in His blissful heavenly Al Jannah, where he most rightfully and most deservedly belongs.
RIP (Rest In Peace), Lawyer Sillah.
RIP (Rest In Power), Ousman.
