To Mr. Melville Robertson Roberts and Co, the sentiments you expressed are commendable, but it is essential to acknowledge that, as observers, we found your words to be flattering.
I would like to respectfully remind you that, not so long ago, you were involved in a Facebook Live broadcast where you lost your composure and hurled insults at someone who had allegedly defamed and spoken disparagingly about your child. As a legal professional, your reaction was quite temperamental, and you resorted to using profanity.
While freedom of speech and dissenting views are fundamental principles, it is crucial to recognize that they can be challenging to uphold in practice. The primary distinction in this instance was that you were not holding public office, but several hundreds of thousands of people including individuals including myself look up to you, much like you admire Lawyer Amie Bensouda. Many people had to urge you to reconsider your actions, and you even intended to block those who advised you to disregard the individual who had spoken ill of you and your daughter.
You could have taken the higher ground and refrained from resorting to personal attacks, which included disparaging remarks about the individual’s mother. Lawyer Amie Bensouda chose to pursue legal action, which was the honorable course of action, and it highlights the importance of respecting the laws of our country. If anyone wishes to submit evidence against individuals involved in the illegal sale of Yahya Jammeh’s looted assets, they should present it to the relevant authorities. The case would then be heard in court, and if the individuals are found guilty, they would be prosecuted for their wrongdoing.
As a legal professional, you are well aware of the implications of libel, defamation of character, and constant character assassination. Should Lawyer Amie Bensouda have resorted to using Facebook Live to address unsubstantiated claims made by Mr. Mamadi Kurang, resulting in a situation where the matter would devolve into a “he said, she said” dispute? The answer is no.
However, it would have been appreciated if she had addressed the Gambian people and provided insight into how the Janneh commission handled the sale of assets.
We must practice what we preach, and I personally commend Lawyer Amie Bensouda for taking legal action, which provided Mr. Kurang with the opportunity to present evidence or face a lawsuit. This was not a threat but rather an opportunity for him to provide Gambians with evidence that would substantiate his claims against Bensouda. Amie Bensouda is not only a respected figure in society but also a family woman, a mother, a wife and a Gambian who guts hurt too.
Therefore, it is unacceptable for someone to make unsubstantiated claims about her without evidence.
She is not the only individual who has pursued legal action or sought an apology. For instance, Abubacarr Jawara took similar action against Momodou Sabally, and there have been other instances.
We must strive to speak the truth and uphold our integrity or remain silent if we are conflicted about certain issues. This is not about suppressing dissenting views but rather about addressing arrogance and self-pride backed by lies and demagoguery against Lawyer Amie Bensouda, as exemplified by Mr. Kurang’s actions.
I sympathize with those who claim to be in solidarity with Mr. Kurang because I believe Mr.Kurang’s stance is rooted in arrogance. This is precisely why our country is struggling to move forward. Lawyer Bensouda’s actions will promote our democracy and serve as a deterrent to individuals like Mr. Kurang, who would think twice before defaming innocent individuals without substantiated evidence.
