Editorial: Gambia: Justice Moses Richard The “No Nonsense” Judge

Why Jammeh Should Hire Richards As Justice Minister

Justice Moses Richards is one of the few Gambian judges our country should be proud of. Justice Richards is a no nonsense judge, who dispensed justice with honesty, fairness, and humility. This is evident on his judicial records. He does not discriminate in his day to day administration of justice. Here is a judge, who is committed to upholding the rule of law, and human rights. Richards deserved to be given a tap on the back for a job well done. Good job Justice Richards. Gambians are proud of you.

As a former Point Newspaper Reporter, I have the opportunity to interact with Justice Richards, while he served as a magistrate at the Kanifing Magistrate court. On a personal level, Richards is an easy going person. He is very down to earth and sociable.

President Jammeh did the right thing by appointing Richards to head the newly established Criminal Court. We are convinced that he would live up to expectations. Richards takes his job seriously, and he does not believe in class supremacy. In other words, he treats everybody equally-irrespective of one’s tribe, color, national origin, or influence. He wouldn’t hesitate to speak his mind when the need arises.

It is rare to hear Gambian judicial staff preaching against corruption, injustices, and rights violations, but Richards judgments are well thought out. He places special emphasis on the need for those entrusted with Government responsibilities to do away with such practices. He also takes the police to task to help expedite cases, as justice delayed is justice denied.

Reading the Daily Observer recently, I  was shocked to learn that the current Attorney General refused to act on a corruption case involving some judicial staff at Kanifing, which was forwarded to her by Justice Richards. According to the Observer, one of the indicted court staff is now a magistrate, leaving one to doubt the honesty, and sincerity of our AG. The paper quoted Richards as expressing dismay over the state of affairs at the judiciary. We do not need felons, and scam artists to run our judiciary. One is compelled to ask: How the said magistrate got admitted to the Bar? Why is the AG not taking Richards findings seriously-given the fact that Richards is a highly respectable legal luminary in the country. How about the missing bail documents at Kanifing as alleged by Richards.

This is not the first time that Justice Richards has been personally confronting agents of graft. I remember Richards approaching an Indian supermarket owner in The Gambia, who was accused of selling expired foods.  This case in question was being handled by the NIA, police, and the Health Ministry.

As a magistrate, he was empowered by law, to conduct his private investigations to ascertain the veracity of some of the evidence provided by the prosecution. While at the supermarket, he was threatened by Amadou Samba, the so called owner of the Daily Observer. Mr. Samba was displeased by Richards presence at the supermarket, and thus had an altercation with the magistrate.

The fearless Moses Richards was never cowed by Samba’s threats. He went ahead with his investigations. The  State House was privy to Samba’s misconduct, which prompted the Secretary General to order the police to arrest Samba in the event he continues to meddle with the expired food investigations.

The Indian businessman SK had close ties with Amadou Samba, and other top security chiefs in the country.  He tried to use his influence to “ kill” the case, but Richards was determined to ensure that justice prevails at the end of the day.  Richards travelled back and forward between Banjul and Serrekunda- confronting those assigned to investigate the case.

I remember Moses Richards confronting the then Inspector General of Landing 13 Badjie about the said case. He was not happy with the pace of the police investigations. In fact, a local paper reported that several thousands of dalasis went into the hands of the investigating officers assigned to the said case. But the police debunked the allegations.

Like, many other corruption cases, the supermarket expired food case suffered a natural death. There was no further information available about the said case. The supermarket owners bought the powers that be to escape justice.

Justice Richards is one of those we can count on in terms of judicial independence and fair dispensation of justice. We need radical judges like Richards, who are committed to protecting and preserving justice.

The President should consider elevating Richards to the position of Justice Minister in the interest of justice for all. With Richards heading the Justice Ministry, we are rest assured of speedy dispensation of justice. Corrupt judicial staff would also be weeded out from that rotten Ministry. Every missing single butut would be accounted for under Richards watch. The “untouchable” would cease to abuse our judicial system. We need independent minded judges and not “YES SIR” judges.

We salute Justice Richards for having the country’s interest at heart. We hope President Jammeh would heed to the voices of dissent. We are speaking the truth, and nothing but the truth. Let justice guide our actions. These are the true qualities of Justice Richards.