The Untold Story About Comrade Magistrate Omar Jabang, The Gambia’s Finest

Omar Jabang

If anything, Magistrate Jabang a bright prospect in the country's legal fraternity, is one of the most competent, credible and impartial home-grown legal minds in the country. Born in Pirang, Kombo East, Jabang graduated from Nusrat Senior Secondary School in 2009 as the overall best student. Under the leadership of His Splendour Karamo Bojang, he was recognized by all Teachers as a sharp minded person.

Jabang passed his WASSCE exams with flying colours and proceeded to the prestigious University of The Gambia where he later graduated with an LLB (hons). He was also ranked as the most outstanding student of the Gambia Law School batch of 2014/2015 academic year unlike many young Gambians in the legal system.

In February 2014, Magistrate Jabang was appointed as the youngest magistrate in the legal system at the age of 23 as a First Class Magistrate, shortly after bagging a Law Degree at the UTG. His appointment as Principal Magistrate at the Banjul Magistrates’ Court was seen by many as a major victory for youth empowerment. ‘‘The office of the Chief Justice was also captivated with his academic success and his personal development’’ A colleague, said.

Jabang, presided over high profile cases during his era at the Kanifing Magistrate Court. Sometimes ago, he excellently acquitted former Ombudsman Mr. Alhagie Sowe. Of recent he has acquitted the GDC MP Hon. Sowe and Co. ‘‘the prosecution put the accused in the box and then went to sleep. It was the prosecution that should have pursued the case diligently, instead of putting the liberty of the accused at risk,” the young magistrate then told the court.

During our days at Nusrat, Jabang used to be an independent and a no nonsense Student Leader. As a result he refused to be used as a machinery Magistrate to jail innocent Gambians out of fear of being arrested again and detained for his judicial work. As then The Gambian Judiciary lacks independence and dances to the tune of the former President Yaya Jammeh.

Ousainou Darboe

This manifested in the trial of opposition leader Lawyer Ousainou N.K Darboe now Vice President and Co. Who were wrongly charged, prosecuted and sentenced to 3 years, for peacefully demonstrating for the release of their party youth leader Sir. Solo Sandeng who was beaten to death, for protesting for electoral reforms.

In, 2016 Magistrate Jabang was arrested and detained at the Serious Crime Unit of The Gambia Police Force in Banjul following his ruling on a no case to answer where he acquitted and discharged one Mr. Yusupha Saidy, a businessman. After his arrest and detention, Jabang was later dismissed from the Judiciary for doing the right thing as per his oath of secrecy.

Readers could recalled that during the 22 years brutal rule of President Yaya Jammeh, Magistrates were prone to arrest and detention when they failed to heed to executive directives to jail innocent people. Especially when they deliver verdicts and it doesn’t go down well with him they are arrested, detained, charged and dismissed.

Furthermore, Jabang, life is a ladder in which you need to climb before arriving the destination of success as such you will face challenges, hardship and difficulties. Let no obstacle disrupt you on your route to success as some will serve as de-motivational factor on your journey to success. Say to yourself that you are unstoppable and nothing can stop you from achieving your dream.

Saidina Alieu Jarjou

Political Activist