Bai Modi Joof

Alhaji Bai Modi Joof (born December 15, 1933 in Kuntaur , † June 3, 1993 in Serekunda - Latri Kunda ) was a lawyer from Gambia who practiced his profession from the mid-1970s until his death in 1993. Also known as Alhaji BM Joof , BM Joof and Lawyer Joof , he was a member of the Gambia Bar Association as well as a barrister and solicitor at the Gambian Supreme Court. During the tenure of President Dawdaw Kairaba Jawara, he was described by parts of the Gambian press as the "champion of freedom of expression ". He was a criminal defense attorney and came from the Wolof and Serer background of the Joof family.

Early life

Bai Modi was born on December 15, 1933 in Kuntaur to Ebrima Joof and Aji Anna Samba. He was the younger brother of Alieu Ebrima Cham Joof , the Gambian historian , politician and nationalist during the country's colonial days. Bai Modi attended the Roman Catholic School in Banjul before graduating from elementary school and continuing his education at the Gambia High School in Banjul (now Gambia Senior Secondary School). In Gambia, Bai Modi worked in various professions, in particular in the civil service as an assessor in tax matters. He went to the UK to study law in the late 1950s . There he also worked as a tax officer for the Inland Revenue (now HMRC ). After studying law at the University of London (Senate House) he was admitted to work in the judiciary from November 26, 1974 and a member of the Honorable Society of Lincoln's Inn . The following year (1975), Bai Modi left the UK with his family and returned to Gambia, where he founded Gal N'Goneh Fambai's Chambers at 5 Wellington Street in Banjul. His riverside office had to move to 2 Hagan Street around 1990/1991, next to The Point newspaper building at 1A, and remained there until Bai Modi's death.

Legal career

As an expert in international and English law , Bai Modi traveled to Europe many times during his legal career to represent his clients. In the Gambia he was one of the leading lawyers of his generation. He achieved notoriety in particular when he represented the editor of The Nation newspaper in 1984, who was accused of sedition during the tenure of President Dawada Kairaba Jawara. The doyen of the Gambian press William Dixon Colley , a close friend and owner of The Nation newspaper and co-founder and acting general director of the Gambia Press Union (GPU), called on Bai Modi Joof's legal services. Bai Modi represented the editor and won the case, all allegations dropped. From that year onwards, William Dixon Colley and his colleagues at the GPU, who were impressed by Bai Modi's appearances in Gambian courts and abroad, entrusted him with the role of legal advisor to the GPU, which he held for several years. During his legal career, Bai Modi has played a vital role in reducing the gaps between the Gambian political elite and the GPU, according to observers. His appearances in court resulted in a "cordial relationship between the Gambia Press Union and the government" and "between him and his colleagues".

Death and legacy

Bai Modi Joof died on June 3, 1993 in his home in Latri Kunda , a suburb of Serrekunda . During his legal career, Bai Modi had a good reputation with the Gambian press as a champion and defender of freedom of expression and freedom of the press. According to tradition in Gambia, he represented all social classes, from the Gambian upper class to the poorest in the country. After his death, his older brother Alieu Ebrima Cham Joof dedicated his book Gambia, Land of our heritage to him . Bai Modi's death in 1993 coincided with the retirement of William Dixon Colley, who retired from professional journalism. In tribute to Bai Modi, William Dixon Colley remarked on the occasion of his death:

“ The willingness to help in depressing times, despite the heavy burden placed upon him, and his appreciation for everyone, regardless of class or ethnic background - that was his contribution to the goal of democracy in our society. In this brief tribute from the press, Bai Modi deserves a place among the knightly pillars of humanity from person to person. "

- William Dixon Colley

Web links

• Wikileaks  : US YOUNG LAWYERS REQUEST FOR NAMES OF POSSIBLE INVITEES , (1978 May 30, 00:00 (Tuesday)) [2]

Individual evidence

1. ↑ ^{a b c d e f g h i j k l} The Nation Newspaper (Gambia): Champion of free speech (Tribute) " , published: 7th June 1993, by William Dixon Colley (Managing Editor of The Nation Newspaper and Secretary General of The Gambia Press Union)
2. ↑ ^{a b c d e f} Joof, Alhaji. AE Cham , "Gambia, Land of our heritage " Editor: Baba Galleh Jallow, (1995), p. i
3. ^ Kraks Forlag, "Kraks Blå Bog 2001", Kraks Forlag A / S (2001), p 625, ISBN 8772257407
4. ^ ^{A b} Kime, Philip Graburn, “Kime's international law directory”, Bowden, Hudson & Co., 1983, p 7
5. ^ ^{A b c} Federal Republic of the Gambia, The Gambia Law Reports (1960-1993), National Council for Law Reporting, p. 267
6. ^ Baba Galleh Jalloh [in] Joof, AE Cham "Gambia, Land of our heritage " (1995), p. ii
7. ↑ Gainakou News ( Memento of the original from January 1, 2016 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. 
8. ^ The records of the Honorable Society of Lincoln's Inn, vol. IV & Inn adm. (1969 & 81)
9. ^ The Point Newspaper: "TOP POINTS", Monday 23 December 1991, p.2
10. ↑ ^{a b} Demba Ali Jawo (DA Jawo, former Editor-In-Chief of The Independent Newspaper (Gambia)) [in] Jollof News: [1]  ( Page no longer available , search in web archives )  Info: The link was automatically saved as marked defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. . William Dixon-Colley - An example to Gambian journalism