By Mariama Marong
Justice Ebrima Jaiteh of the Banjul High Court has called on the State to engage in negotiation with the families of Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) for settlement of reparations out of court.
He said it is better for the State to initiate an amicable settlement, highlighting the importance of outside of court settlement between the two parties.
Justice Jaiteh made the recommendation in court while presiding over the AKI case against the government.
His Lordship said the state and the victims’ applicants should be engaged in talks as a form of mitigation, adding that the state has a mandate and right to protect her people and property. He said it is vital for both parties to work out a settlement if they are willing to settle matters and differences.
Counsel Yassin Senghore, who appeared for the plaintiffs, said they were ready for talks with the State at the initial stage of the case, but received no response from them. She asserted that the case has passed the settlement stage, but said they will be willing to talk with the state if they are ready for settlement.
State Counsel Binga D said he was not aware of the plaintiffs’ consent to have talks with them, but said he would like to engage them in dialogue. However, he said the state represents the medicine control agency as the 3rd defendant, the Ministry of Health as the 4th defendant, and the attorney general as the 5th respondent.
