"I will Interfere in court proceedings if the interest of the state is at stake” says president Jammeh

……As Jammeh Blasts America And The West!!!!

Justice Moses Richards And DPP Chenge Sworn In  

By Staff Writer Bolong Jammeh, Banjul.

Gambia’s President Yahya Jammeh said he will interfere in the nation’s judicial system, if the matter touches on state interest. “ America and the West, which often bragged of being the bastion of the world’s democracy interfered in their countries judicial system. This type of trend is very common in the West. If leaders like us sought to interfere in our judicial system, they would brand us as “ dictators.” This is the height of western hypocrisy. I don’t care what they say, I will interfere in the judicial operation each time the state’s interest is threatened,.” Jammeh tells members of the judiciary on Thursday.  He was presiding over the swearing ceremony of  Justice Moses Richards and the newly hired Director of Public Prosecution  Chenge Richard.

The President who openly announces his intention to meddle into the operations of the judiciary reiterated that there will be no independent justice delivery system in the country, if the matter in court has conflict of interest with the state. He says the state’s interest overrides any other interest. He warns judges and other judicial staff to bear in mind that without the Government, they will cease to exist and should always consider state interest in their rulings.

Jammeh then cited an instance in which the American and western governments interfered  in the justice system of their countries. He posited that if any African leader did the same act he or she will branded as a dictator. Jammeh said he careless about what America or the West call him, but he is in charge of  The Gambia.

Mr. Jammeh also laments about the slow dispensation of justice in the country. He observes that it is only in The Gambia, where a murder case will last for more than a year. Jammeh said the majority of the judges are not willing to handle murder cases and kept on dragging cases unnecessarily. He said some of the judges will sat on some of the cases, until their terms end without administering justice. He said his Government will not tolerate such acts. He said judges shall either serve or leave.

Abdou karim savage, the chief justice expressed his strong conviction that the hired officials will live up to expectation. The ceremony was attended by Isatou Njie saidy,the vice president,Yankuba Touray, Sos for fisheries Natural Resources and National Assembly matters.