Senior counsels Lamin Mboge and Omar F M’Bai recently paid a courtesy call on Chief Justice Edrissa MO Faal, offering their support amidst ongoing legal challenges. During the visit, Mr. M’Bai described the engagement as "timely and important," expressing "a legitimate and independently held legal view in support of the constitutional process." He commended Chief Justice Faal's "distinguished record of some forty years of successful legal practice," noting his "independence, learning, fairness and sound judgment." Mr. M’Bai conveyed the senior counsels' sentiments, stating, "We wish you wisdom, courage and strength as you discharge the enormous responsibilities of your office," and assured him of their "goodwill and principled support."
Public Solidarity Visit
Senior counsels Lamin Mboge and Omar F M’Bai visited Chief Justice Edrissa MO Faal to convey their solidarity and public support for his appointment. The gesture from the senior members of the legal fraternity aimed to reinforce confidence in the Chief Justice as he assumes his duties. Chief Justice Faal brings substantial judicial experience from his career abroad to his new role. His tenure includes serving as a District Court Judge in Raleigh, North Carolina, a position that provided him with extensive practical legal and judicial insights before his return. The visit showed the legal community's backing for the Chief Justice during a period of scrutiny.
Clarifying Legal Profession's Stance
Omar F M’Bai expressed gratitude to the Gambia Law Society president for facilitating the visit to Chief Justice Edrissa MO Faal and for organizing a press briefing. Mr. M’Bai characterized the engagement as "timely and important," stating it represented "a legitimate and independently held legal view in support of the constitutional process." He praised Chief Justice Faal's "distinguished record of some forty years of successful legal practice," noting his "independence, learning, fairness and sound judgment." The press briefing aimed to clarify that the legal profession is not uniformly opposed to Chief Justice Faal's appointment. Mr. M’Bai conveyed the senior counsels' well wishes, stating, "We wish you wisdom, courage and strength as you discharge the enormous responsibilities of your office," and assured him of their "goodwill and principled support."
Chief Justice's Qualifications
Chief Justice Edrissa MO Faal possesses a "distinguished record of some forty years of successful legal practice," according to senior counsel Omar F M’Bai. Mr. M’Bai further noted Chief Justice Faal's "independence, learning, fairness and sound judgment." Recalling Chief Justice Faal’s extensive experience, Mr. M’Bai noted his past pro bono assistance in a racial-discrimination matter that occurred in Raleigh, North Carolina. This engagement was described as "timely and important" by Mr. M’Bai, representing "a legitimate and independently held legal view in support of the constitutional process."
Message of Support
Senior counsels Lamin Mboge and Omar F M’Bai delivered their public endorsement and conducted their visit amid ongoing legal challenges to Chief Justice Edrissa MO Faal’s appointment. A press briefing recorded a clear and independently held legal view. Omar F M’Bai stated that the briefing represented "a legitimate and independently held legal view in support of the constitutional process" that led to Chief Justice Faal’s elevation to the position. The senior counsels' initiative aims to reinforce confidence in the Chief Justice as he assumes his duties during this period of scrutiny.