Pakistani appointed Gambia's new Chief Justice

BANJUL: The Gambia has appointed a Pakistani legal expert Justice Ali Nawaz Chowhan as the country’s next chief justice, replacing the Ghanaian Mabel Agyemang who was sacked after a short spell in charge.

According to media reports on Friday, Internationally renowned Justice Ali Nawaz Chowhan took the oath of office in the presence of Gambian President Dr. Yahya Jammeh on Thursday after he was confirmed to the position.

Speaking at the occasion, the president thanked the new judiciary boss and the two judges for accepting the challenge, assuring of his government's commitment to ensuring quality dispensation of justice.

"Every appointment comes with responsibilities and the most important responsibility is safeguarding the trust reposed in you," Jammeh told the new adjudicators. "We have appointed you as a brother to serve your second home and I have no doubt in your ability and integrity. Justice is universal but constitutions are unique and you are sworn-in as chief justice of The Gambia to implement Gambian laws, which are not promulgated by me, the president, but by the people of The Gambia so that every Gambian and anybody in this country will live according to the laws of this country so that there would be peace and order in this country."

The head of state also used his speech to comment on the longstanding relationship between The Gambia and Pakistan, a bond he said, that has grown into brotherly ties.

He thanked Pakistan for contributing to the continued peace and security of The Gambia. He assured the newly sworn-in officials of his support at all times.

Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, Chief Justice Chowhan said he was honoured to be accorded such a privilege to serve in the Gambian judiciary.

He commended President Jammeh for the powerful speech he delivered in Nigeria during that country's centenary celebration. "I was particularly impressed with human rights issue, the co-existence of fellow human beings, respect for religion that was extremely great," he said, while defining justice as "the faculty of the soul from which close actions lead to the sustenance of the system on which human civilization rests."