Gambian Govt apologises to Cameroonian Barrister Emmanuel Nkea, 9yrs after declaring him wanted

The Gambia’s Attorney General who doubles as Minister of Justice has apologised to renowned Cameroonian legal expert, Barrister Emmanuel Nkea, for declaring him a wanted person in the country in 2014.

In an apology letter dated March 20, 2023, the Attorney General regretted and strongly condemned the publication of Barrister Nkea’s posters at The Gambian police stations and newspapers as a wanted person.

“The Attorney General and Minister of Justice of The Gambia states that, after due investigations, there was no basis to justify the issuance and or publication of the Wanted Posters against Justice Emmanuel Nkea,” the apology letter reads.

It furthers: “It is regrettable that there was a publication of the Wanted Posters of Justice Emmanuel Nkea at such conspicuous locations in multiple police stations in The Gambia.

“The Attorney General and Minister of Justice takes this opportunity to issue its sincere apology to Justice Emmanuel Nkea and to strongly condemn all such arbitrary actions that were meted out to Justice Emmanuel Nkea.”

Gambian newspaper, The Point, in 2014, said the legal expert who has worked in the country for several years was wanted, prompting Nkea to file a lawsuit demanding a redress, and compensation.

Gambia’s Justice Minister said they received Barrister Nkea’s petition in July 2021 after the legal expert had petitioned the ECOWAS Court.

From their investigations, the Barrister had no criminal charge against him.

Barrister Emmanuel Nkea Aleambong has worked as a State Counsel, Principal Magistrate, High Court Judge/President of the Special Criminal Court Gambia, and Acting Justice of Appeal of the Gambia Court of Appeal.

He is the founder and managing partner of Veritas Law Firm in Buea, Southwest Region of Cameroon.

By Tata Mbunwe