Alhaji Mamadi Kurang, former Secretary to the Janneh Commission, has intensified his legal standoff with prominent lawyer Mrs. Amie N.D. Bensouda responded to her cease-and-desist notice by serving a counter-response and filing a defamation lawsuit against her legal representative, Ms. Combeh Gaye of Antouman A.B. Gaye & Co. Law Chambers.
Two weeks ago, Amie Bensouda, the former Lead Counsel to the Janneh Commission, filed a defamation lawsuit against Alhagie Mamadi Kurang, the commission’s former Secretary, seeking damages of D144 million.
Now Kurang is demanding a public apology and D200 million in damages for alleged defamatory statements, signaling a deepening rift in The Gambia’s legal and political circles.
In a letter dated May 27, 2025, Kurang’s legal team at AJ Njie & Associates rejected the allegations outlined in Bensouda’s May 16 cease-and-desist notice, which accused Kurang of making defamatory remarks about her. The notice, issued through Ms. Gaye, allegedly described Kurang as a “fraud,” “liar,” and “incompetent opportunist,” claims Kurang’s team says have caused significant personal and professional harm, particularly to his political career. Kurang’s lawyers argue that his original statements were rooted in fact, aimed at promoting “good governance, transparency, and accountability,” and protected under his constitutional right to free speech.
The dispute originates from Kurang’s role as Secretary to the Janneh Commission, established in 2017 to probe financial misconduct during former President Yahya Jammeh’s regime. As a key figure managing the commission’s operations, Kurang handled sensitive financial records, while Bensouda, a former Solicitor General, also played a significant role.
Kurang’s criticisms of the commission’s processes, which he claims were fact-based, have sparked this legal clash, with his team asserting that Bensouda, as a public officer at the time, is subject to public scrutiny.
Kurang’s counter-response demands a formal retraction and public apology from both Bensouda and Gaye, warning of further legal action if unmet within 14 days. The D200 million claim underscores the severity of the alleged damage to Kurang’s reputation in a nation where public trust is paramount.
This legal battle unfolds against the backdrop of The Gambia’s post-Jammeh democratic transition, where debates over accountability and free speech remain contentious. The case could set a precedent for how public officials navigate criticism in the public square. As the deadline approaches, all eyes are on Bensouda and Gaye’s next move, with potential implications for The Gambia’s legal and political landscape.
