By Yankuba Jallow
Dr Alieu Gibba and Professor Matarr Saine, both employees of the University of The Gambia (UTG), have asked the UTG to withdraw defamatory remarks made against them and to pay them compensation amounting to Fifty-Five Million Dalasi (D55,000,000).
The two UTG staff are being represented by Senior Lawyer Malick H.B. Jallow. In the demand letter sent by Lawyer Jallow, he indicated that the UTG, through a letter dated 10 July 2023, wrote to Dr Gibba and Professor Saine accusing both of them of “impropriety” and “misconduct.” The letter was signed by Bobo Baldeh, the Acting Registrar.
The two academic luminaries in question replied to the UTG letter on 15 July 2025 and they were invited to a disciplinary proceeding on 23 August 2024.
“It is our clients’ instruction that at the scheduled disciplinary hearing, you did not present any evidence to substantiate the allegations against them, rather you demanded that they present evidence to exonerate themselves,” Lawyer Jallow stated.
Barrister Jallow said his clients informed him that the panel was not properly constituted as it included some UTG entities that are a subject of investigations. Jallow added that this is not only inimical to the principles of natural justice, but also offended the principle of fair-hearing.
“Please note that the burden of proving the allegations you made against our clients rests squarely on your shoulders,” Lawyer Jallow said while referring to the principle of law that “he who asserts must prove.”
“It is also the instruction of our clients that the unproven allegations you made against them have captured the public attention, especially on social media,” Lawyer Jallow said.
“The malicious allegation of dishonesty and corruption as captured under rules 9.6.2 of the UTG staff rules is scandalous and preposterous,” Lawyer Jallow added.
He stated that the said allegations have brought the name of his two clients in disrepute and scarred their reputation and standing as respected scholars and members of society. He added that the two have taught over thousand students and the allegation has lowered their credibility and standing in the eyes of the students and the academic fraternity as a whole.
Lawyer Jallow requested that the UTG, within 28 days, should immediately and without reservation withdraw the malicious and the unfounded allegations against his two clients. Also, Jallow demanded that within 28 days, the UTG should make a clear and unequivocal public apology to his clients. Finally, he demanded that the UTG should pay Dr Gibba Thirty Million Dalasi (D30,000,000) and Professor Saine Twenty-Five Million Dalasi (D25,000,000) as compensation within 28 days starting from the date they received the letter.
He indicated that if the UTG wants Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), they are available as required by law. He stated that failure to act on his letter would attract litigation in court. He said they will claim for Sixty Million Dalasi (D60,000,000) and Twenty-Five Million Dalasi (D25,000,000) as well as recovery of all expenses incidental to the court process if they do not fulfil their terms.
The letter was copied to the Chief of Staff at the Office of The President, Ministry of Higher Education, the Chairman of UTG Governing Council and the National Assembly Select Committee on Education.
