Five lawyers were Wednesday called to the Gambian Bar. Anna Dibba, Imelba Ipi Mboto, Sumbo Akimbo, Chukwuka O.N Apuonwu and Pennett Edep all took the oath of allegiance by swearing to execute their duties and responsibilities as legal practitioners according to law without fear, favour, affection or ill will, at a swearing-in ceremony held at the High Court in Banjul, presided over by the chief justice of The Gambia, Emmanuel Agim.

The president of the Gambia Bar Association, Sheriff Tambedou described the event as historic and another milestone for both the newly sworn-in lawyers and the Gambia legal system. He urged them to continue with the spirit of lifelong reading, research, consultation, respect for both the bench and members of the bar inline with the principles of the legal profession, which he described as a noble profession that contributes tremendously towards the sustainable development objectives of any given country across the globe.

Tambedou further urged the newly sworn-in lawyers to be ambassadors of the bar at all times. He cited different sections of the code of conduct of the Bar Association, which place emphasis on the need for good conduct for all legal practitioners in the country. He also said that the Gambia Bar Association is among the oldest bar associations in the continent, saying its life spans way back to 1965.

The Bar Association prezy warned against any lawyer who may be found wanting and the consequences that follows being sanctioned by the bar or arrested and detained by the police. He also advised them not to take advantage of their clients whether they [clients] are rich or poor, but should instead comport themselves within the code of conduct of the bar at all times.

Cherno Marenah, representative of the Attorney General and minister of Justice stated the need for legal practitioners to go back to the basics in accordance with the code of conduct of the legal profession in the country. He advised the newly sworn-in lawyers to familiarise themselves with the said code of conduct, so as to avoid distorting the good image of the noble profession.

On his part, CJ Emmanuel Agim thanked the president of the Gambia Bar Association for addressing the audience and calling on the newly sworn-in legal practitioners to familiarise themselves with the code of conduct of the Bar Association. The chief justice went on to stress that without a code of conduct guiding the operations of its members, the profession cannot be noble and will also never achieve its objectives.

He advised the newly sworn-in lawyers to join existing chambers for a start before setting up their own chambers, adding that joining the bar will greatly enhance improving their skills and experience in the legal profession and also help in expediting of cases in court, considering the number of lawyers handling cases in courts. Anna Dibba delivered the vote of thanks on behalf of the newly sworn-in lawyers.