Just barely a week after the University of The Gambia dismissed two prominent lecturers over alleged misconduct, UTG Faculty and Staff Association members (UTGFSA) announced their intention to take industrial action. This decision comes in response to the abrupt dismissal of two senior and long-serving members: Dr. Alieu Gibba, former President of the UTGFSA, and Associate Professor Matarr Njie, the UTGFSA’s Financial Controller.
In a letter addressed to the Department of Labor and occupied to the Secteray General office of the President, Minister of Higher Education, and University authorities, the Association threatens that without a meaningful resolution after fourteen days’ notice, it will be compelled to take industrial action to safeguard the interests of their members and the university community at large.
“Their sudden removal from the University was due to their rightful expression of concerns regarding the institution’s deteriorating governance, reputation, and resource management. Such actions clearly disregard their academic freedom and create an unsettling environment for staff and students. This unfortunate situation disrupted the academic progress of over 500 students who were expecting a seamless semester. The growing dissatisfaction among staff risks causing significant disruption to the smooth functioning of the University if left unaddressed,” the Association said in a letter addressed to the Department of Labor and seen by TAT.
However, the group said they are committed to engaging in dialogue and finding an amicable resolution.
“We respectfully request your office and any other office’s intervention to help facilitate discussions with all relevant parties to resolve this issue promptly. Our objective remains to uphold the peace and stability of the University while ensuring that our members’ rights are respected,” the letter to the labor department said.
Meanwhile, Gibba and Njie, through thier legal counsel, Malick Jallow, have filed an unlawful dismissal case against the University of the Gambia as the first defendant, Bobo Baldeh, acting Registrar at the Kanifing Industrial Tribunal, as the second defendant, which is expected to hear the lawsuit in December 9, 2024
They are now claiming that thier dismissal by the University is ‘unlawful, unfair, malicious and repugnant to the principles of natural justice and ultimately amounts to a breach of thier employment.’
They claim damages of D5,000,000,00 as compensation for thier reputational damage and distress suffered by the plaintiffs due to thier unlawful dismissal.
Dr. Gibba and Professor Matarr Njie were dismissed on November 15, 2024. The UTG management cited “serious misconduct” as the basis for their termination, claiming the pair’s actions had tarnished the University’s reputation.
Dr. Gibba and Professor Njie also filed a defamation lawsuit against the University through their legal representatives. They are demanding the University retract the “malicious and unfounded” allegations and issue a public apology after the University accused them of Embezzlement, Nepotism, and favoritism in the conduct of university affairs, sexual harassment, False declaration of academic credentials and curriculum vitae (CV), Discipline, Abuse of Power, Misappropriation, and Abusing the University to solicit private funds.
In the defamation lawsuit, they initially sought compensation of GMD 30,000,000 for Dr. Gibba and GMD 25,000,000 for Professor Nji. They also requested the recovery of all expenses related to the court process if the defendants failed to issue an apology, which they did not.
The lecturers now seek compensation of D60,000,000 for Dr. Gibba and D40,000,000 for Prof. Njie due to an allegedly defamatory statement the University issued against them.
