By Isatou Sarr
The High Court in Banjul Wednesday ordered Sergeant Adama Jagne to pay a total of D10,000.00 legal costs to three state officials following proceedings in a civil suit he instituted against them.
The three state officials are: the Chief of Defence Staff of the Gambia Armed Forces, the Clerk of the National Assembly, and the Attorney General.
The order was made in a ruling delivered by Justice Sonia Akinbiyi K.J.W. of the Banjul High Court Annex when the case came up for hearing.
During the hearing, Counsel A.A. Wakawa announced his appearance for the 1st and 3rd respondents, while Counsel A.S. Kah, together with Counsel L.M. Dimba and Counsel A. Bah, appeared conditionally for the 2nd respondent. Counsel M.H.B. Jallow, representing the applicant, Sergeant Jagne, was absent.
Addressing the court, Counsel Wakawa said the matter had been scheduled for hearing but expressed surprise at what he described as an amended process filed by the applicant.
Counsel Kah informed the court that the 2nd respondent had been served with an amended originating summons while the National Assembly was in session. He argued that such service was improper under Section 22, Volume 1 of the Laws of The Gambia, adding that since the last session ended on December 17, 2025, the purported service dated November 8, 2025, could not have been valid.
Both defence counsels objected to the amended originating summons and applied for costs.
The court noted that Counsel Jallow had written to seek an adjournment, stating that he was engaged in another matter before the High Court in Banjul. Justice Sonia described the application as untenable, observing that the courts exercise concurrent jurisdiction and that counsel had earlier agreed to the hearing date without raising any scheduling conflict.
Ruling in what she described as the interest of justice, Justice Sonia awarded D5,000 in costs to the 1st and 3rd respondents and D5,000 to the 2nd respondent, whose counsel appeared conditionally at the instance of the applicant.
The court further ordered that the total sum of D10,000 be paid by the applicant on or before the next adjourned date as a condition for him to be heard.
The case was adjourned to April 13, 2026, at 11:00 a.m.