By Kemeseng Sanneh (Kexx)
The Judiciary of The Gambia welcomed Justice Ademine Coker to the High Court bench in a formal swearing-in ceremony held on Wednesday, March 19.
The event, presided over by Chief Justice Hassan B. Jallow, underscored the ongoing collaboration between The Gambia and Nigeria, as well as the judiciary’s commitment to delivering justice and maintaining public trust.
Chief Justice Jallow expressed warm congratulations to Justice Coker and assured her of the judiciary’s full support. He emphasized his confidence in her ability to make significant contributions to The Gambia’s legal system. “We are confident that my lady will bring to the Gambian judiciary a wealth of experience, which will be beneficial in our efforts to improve the quality of justice in the country,” he stated, noting her 40 years of legal experience, including over 25 years on the bench in Lagos State, Nigeria.
Chief Justice Jallow also took the opportunity to express his gratitude to the Chief Justice of Nigeria and the Nigerian government for their continued technical assistance.
“He responded very quickly and favourably to our request for the deployment of a Judge to the country on technical assistance,” he said, emphasizing the strong cooperative relationship between the two nations.
In his address to the broader judiciary, Chief Justice Jallow highlighted the critical role of maintaining public trust in the justice system. “We all need to work together to ensure that the enterprise of justice delivery is a successful one,” he noted. He acknowledged the rising number of people seeking access to the courts, citing an annual increase of 25 to 30% in the number of cases brought before the judiciary. He also celebrated the judiciary’s recent achievements, pointing out that in 2024, the courts had resolved over 6,000 cases out of a total of 13,000 cases in the system, a remarkable accomplishment for judicial officers.
Gambia Bar Association President, Lawyer Nenneh, welcomed Justice Coker, emphasizing her dedication and expertise. “The appointment of Justice Coker is no doubt a testament to her dedication, expertise, and commitment to fairness,” she said. She also stressed the importance of ethical conduct and mutual respect between the bench and the bar, underlining their shared goal of delivering justice.
Representing the Minister of Justice, Mr. Colley echoed similar sentiments, calling the swearing-in ceremony a momentous occasion. “This momentous occasion signifies not only personal achievement for Justice Coker, but also a testament to the enduring commitment of our judiciary to uphold the principles of justice, fairness, and the rule of law,” he said. He also thanked Nigeria for its continued technical assistance.
In her remarks, Justice Coker expressed her gratitude to President Adama Barrow for her appointment and to Chief Justice Jallow and the Gambian judiciary for their warm welcome. She recognized the strong relationship between The Gambia and Nigeria, particularly the trust placed in the Nigerian judiciary. “This shows very clearly the excellent relationship between the two countries, and especially the trust and confidence the Gambian judiciary has in the Nigerian judiciary,” she stated.
Justice Coker pledged to uphold justice with fairness and efficiency, vowing to serve the Gambian people under the law and her conscience. “I will do justice fairly and efficiently to the best of my ability by the law and good conscience,” she affirmed, calling for guidance as she begins her service.
