: No Justice In Gambia’s Islamic Jurisprudence

Corrupt Muslim Judges Tearing Matrimonial Families In The US

Faked Divorce Certificates Racketeering   Uncovered

Islam is a noble religion, but off late we have witnessed the emergence of so called “religious leaders” in The Gambia, and elsewhere across the African continent—whose primary occupation is to enrich themselves to the expense of  poor Muslims, who relied on them for the dispensation of justice. Our story line today focuses on Gambia’s  “ rotten” Islamic jurisprudence-which is increasingly becoming a moneymaking venture for some “greedy and dishonest” Islamic judges known as “ Cadis” here in Banjul.  This story, we are releasing today is worth pursuing by the Serre-Kunda police Department, with the view of bringing those behind this well coordinated corruption racket at the Kanifing Cadi court to justice.

 Millions of dalasis are going to the pockets of some Cadis- who conspired with disgruntled Gambian couple(s) overseas to prematurely terminate marriages without the due process of the law. The Cadis are paid between $100 and $200 dollars to issue divorce certificates to  Gambian couples residing in the United States, and elsewhere overseas- many a time without the consent of the husband or the affected wife. Couples parents are also kept in the dark-as the “mighty” US dollar influenced the decisions of our so called religious judges-who are often induced, or bribed by suing aggrieved wives or husbands.

One is tempted to ask: If the Cadis are working for themselves or The Gambian state. With our little Islamic knowledge,  we can state here with authority that the actions of these Cadis is ungodly,  and morally wrong. They are paid to do a job, and we expect them to exercise high degree of impartiality, humility and honesty in their day to day dispensation of justice.

There is no way that the Cadis would deliver justice in divorce cases-- if one of the affected parties is absent. Both parties must be consulted before a decision is reached. But what is happening is that any Gambian aggrieved couple-be in the United States, or England with money can secure a divorce certificate from Kanifing without going through the due process of the law.

Cadi Masamba Nyang of Kanifing, has been linked to this major bogus “divorce certificate issuance scandal”—which is tearing families apart in Atlanta Georgia, and elsewhere in the United States. A significant number of Gambian men have been divorced in Georgia-thanks to Mr. Nyang’s “ Dollar” justice system. He administers justice in exchange for money. In other words, he issued divorce certificates to Gambians overseas without the due process of the law after he has been bribed.

There are witnesses available,  who are willing to testify against Mr. Nyang if The Gambian state deems it imperative to file criminal charges against him. A Gambian divorcee resident in Atlanta Georgia, has been lamenting about how Mr. Nyang conspired with his wife to end his matrimonial life.

The man name (withheld) said he has been married  for the past 23 years—blessed with three kids---two of whom are attending University Education in the US, but Cadi Nyang abused his position by issuing a divorce certificate to his wife without his prior consent.

“ I was never contacted by the Cadi Court about the divorce papers supposedly filed by my wife , who is staying with me here in the US. My wife just produced a divorce certificate prepared by Cadi Nyang,  and is now working on slamming a child support claim against me. I think this is unjust and the relevant authorities in The Gambia should step in to redress this naked injustice taking place in the country,” said a Gambian divorcee.

The divorcee said many a time Gambian men resorts to marrying Senegalese---who he said usually helped their husbands in paying house bills and other domestic needs. He said there are good Gambian women as well, but the reality is that some women “are gold diggers.” He said he never expected his wife to divorce him, but today he is living a single life.

While the Freedom Newspaper embraces feminism and women empowerment, it is imperative to  note that some Gambian couples  have lamented that African Muslim women—most importantly from The Gambia---always insist that men should pay  the bills, fed and cloth them as dictated by Islam. They said they have no alternative but to fulfill their matrimonial obligations to avoid being divorced.

There are reports indicating that a good number of the married women would make weekly monetary  remittances back home in The Gambia—to build houses, and financed other projects  without the consent of their husbands. Many a time unsuspecting husbands are caught off guard when news of their wives building luxurious houses in The Gambia came to their attention.

Couples should be faithful to each other, and avoid betrayal schemes. There is nothing wrong for our African women to build houses and own businesses in The Gambia, but it should be done in a transparent manner. Lack of communication undermines relationship. Both parties are expected to treat each other with love and respect.

Enticing corrupt Cadis with few couples of dollars---with the primary objective of securing a divorce certificate without following the due process of the law is illegal. This is not about women thing. Both men and women are guilty of it. It takes two to tango.

Married couple should consult each other before resorting to filing divorce papers in The Gambia. Couple’s parents, or relatives should be present when such cases are being heard in court. If need be--- the Cadi should request statements from the parties concerned--- with the view of arriving to a reasonable decision without appeasing any party. This is crucially imperative when dispensing justice in matters relating to marital disputes.