On Friday night, The Gambia Bar Association organized its Law Ball and Farewell Dinner at Tamala Hotel to celebrate the life and achievements of Barrister Surahata B.S Janneh, who retired in 2022 after 52 years of service as a respected legal practitioner.
The event brought together legal professionals, members of the judiciary, legal scholars, and other stakeholders in the legal fraternity to celebrate the life and achievements of a doyen of the Gambia Bar, Barrister Surahata B.S Janneh ESQ, as they bid him farewell after practicing law in The Gambia for 52 years with distinction.
Notable attendees included: Justice Minister Dawda A. Jallow, Lawyer Ousainou Darboe, and former Justice Minister Abubakar Tambadou.
Barrister Janneh retired in 2022.
Born in Banjul on 6th November 1942, Barrister Janneh was called to the Bar in England and The Gambia in 1970.
Colleagues and mentees celebrate the 80-year-old as an exemplary legal practitioner who led the Bar Association from 1993 to 1998.
Salieu Taal, the President of the Gambia Bar Association, described “SBS Janneh” as he is commonly known as a remarkable man who is humble and approachable. He said the doyen had left a distinctive mark in the Gambia’s legal landscape.
Dawda A. Jallow, the Attorney General and Minister of Justice of The Gambia; Justice Awa Bah of the Supreme Court; and Lawyers Antouman AB Gaye and Sheriff Tambadou and Amie Bensouda respectively, said Janneh’s legacy would continue to guide legal practitioners.
Surahata B.S Janneh is one of the founding members of the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights, where he served for eight years. He was a founding member of the Law Reform Commission of The Gambia. He has represented individuals and companies in high-profile commercial and criminal cases.
He established Semega Chambers in 1973. In addition, He served as a Barrister of the Honorary Society of Gray’s Inn (London). Gray’s Inn is one of the Inns of Court. These historical societies educate and train barristers in England and Wales.
Barrister Janneh holds a Law Degree (LLB) from Hull University in England and spearheaded the Janneh Commission of Inquiry into the financial dealings of former President Jammeh.
In a vote of thanks, Janneh thanked all for the recognition and support in his journey. He pledged to continue sharing his experience and knowledge when needed.
Justice Hassan B. Jallow, Chief Justice of The Gambia; Lawyer Ousainou Darboe, Lawyer Hawa Sisay-Sabally. Lawyer Lamin S. Camara, Edrissa Fafa Mbai, and Lawyer Neneh Cham, among others, hailed Janneh and wished him a happy retirement.
Moderated by Lawyers Abdoulie Fatty and Kumba Jawo of the Gambia Bar Association, attendees are hopeful that the young legal practitioners and future generations will learn a lot from the older man, who they say has retired but is not tired.
There was also a Posthumous Awards presentation to former Bar Association Presidents: Lawyers Abdoulie Bamba Saho, Alhagie A.M Drammeh, Sam A.H George, and Bola Mahoney.
