A lawsuit filed by students who are demanding financial compensation of D20 million has begun before Justice Ebrima Jaiteh of the Gambia High Court in Banjul.
The schools sued are the Gambia Senior Secondary School (Gambia High), St. Therese’s Upper Basic School, Reverend JC Faye, Grace Bilingual School and St. Peter’s Senior Secondary School.
Lead Counsel B.S Touray, Counsel B. Badgie, Counsel L. Darboe and Counsel I. Jallow yesterday represented the students (the plaintiffs), while Counsel Andross, Counsel R. Y. Mendy and Counsel Binga D. represented the respondents. Counsel M. B. Sowe also appeared on behalf of the state.
The case opened on Thursday 4 May 2023 with a tough beginning, as Counsel Andross objected to Borry S. Touray’s appearance for the plaintiff, saying his name was not on record as per the list of counsel appearing for the plaintiffs.
She cited section 44 of the Legal Practitioners Act 2016 as the basis for her argument.
The counsel argued that appearance on behalf of the plaintiffs could only be made by those whose names were on record.
Countering the argument of Counsel Andross, Counsel Borry S. Touray told the court that there was nothing that denied the opportunity to represent the plaintiffs.
He also emphasised that the plaintiffs had a right to choose him or whoever they would like as their counsel.
Counsel B.S. Touray said the argument by his colleague “lacks any proper legal foundation”.
Again, Counsel Andross said there were two counsel on record to appear for the plaintiffs.
