By Ousman Saidykhan
In the ongoing legal matter involving Minister of Environment Rohey John Manjang’s 50 million dalasis lawsuit against Kebba Ansu Mannah of The Alkamba Times, Justice Akinbiyi has directed the case to Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). This decision came after both parties informed the court on Tuesday morning that their efforts to reach an out-of-court settlement had “broken down.”
“Negotiations have broken down. Therefore, we have not been able to reach an out-of-court settlement,” M. Drammeh, representing the plaintiff, told the high court judge on Tuesday Morning in Banjul.
T Bayo, counsel for the defendant, holding brief for TAT Lawyer Junkung Jobarteh, also confirmed that attempts to resolve the issue outside of court had reached a stalemate.
The case will now be handled through Court-Connected Alternative Dispute Resolution, a mediation process designed to resolve disputes alongside traditional court proceedings. Justice Akinbiyi announced, “This case is therefore referred to the dispute resolution department of the Judiciary of The Gambia.”
Just a month prior, on December 12, 2024, both parties had indicated to the court that they were making “significant progress” in their settlement discussions and that talks were at an “advanced stage.”
In the ongoing legal proceedings between Minister Rohey John Manjang and journalist Kebba Ansu Mannah of The Alkamba Times, both parties requested that the court allow additional time to finalize their discussions, prompting an adjournment to a “short date.” However, the parties have now reported their inability to reach an agreement, indicating that the case may proceed through the judicial process.
The central issue in the stalled negotiations is an apology. Minister Manjang requests an “unreserved apology” from Mannah, which the defendant disputes. The lawsuit arises from Mannah’s article, which Manjang claims contains “malicious and unfounded allegations” against her.
Minister Manjang is seeking a court order requiring Mannah to write and publish an apology on The Alkamba Times website and other platforms where the article appeared. She is also seeking 50 million dalasis in compensation.
The plaintiff also seeks the removal of statements from social media that she alleges are defamatory and a perpetual injunction to prevent the defendant from making further defamatory statements against her, directly or indirectly.
The article, published on June 19, 2024, included allegations of a payment of D150,000 to a bank account allegedly linked to the minister. This sum is purportedly part of the D200,000 generated from selling a Mahogany in Kiang Kaif. The case has now been referred to the Court-Connected Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) as the parties explore possible mediation avenues.
