The civil case between senior lawyer Amie Bensouda and former lead Counsel of the Janneh Commission and former secretary of the Janneh Commission, Alhaji Mamadi Kurang commenced today before Justice Coker of the High Court in Bakau, sitting in Banjul.
When the matter was called, Counsel Combeh Gaye appeared for the Plaintiff, Amie Bensouda (former Lead Counsel of the Janneh Commission), and Counsel A.J. Njie appeared for the Defendant, Alhaji Mamadi Kurang.
Counsel Gaye informed the court that the Plaintiff has filed two statements of claim, but that the defence’s reply had not yet been received.
In response, Counsel Njie, representing Mr Kurang, informed the court that they would file their statement of defence by Monday and also intended to file an objection challenging the court’s jurisdiction.
Counsel Njie stated that the Plaintiff failed to adhere to the protocol of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), arguing that the law mandates such an attempt before a civil suit can proceed.
In response, Counsel Gaye informed the court that the Plaintiff’s team would wait to receive the formal objection and then advise themselves on how to proceed.
The case has been adjourned to 17th November 2025 at 11:30 a.m.
Background of the Case.
The core of the legal dispute is a D144 million defamation lawsuit filed by Amie Bensouda, the former Lead Counsel for the Janneh Commission, against Alhaji Mamadi Kurang, the former Commission’s Executive Secretary.
Ms Amie Bensouda alleges that Kurang has, since his removal from the Commission in 2018, made false and damaging statements on social media and in media interviews. The statements allegedly challenge her professional integrity and character, particularly regarding her conduct during the Commission’s work and the handling of seized assets.
However, Mamadi Kurang maintains that his public remarks were based on his experiences as a former insider, intended to raise legitimate public interest concerns—such as procedural irregularities and potential conflicts of interest—and are protected speech. He views Bensouda’s lawsuit as an attempt to silence him.
Kurang maintains he acted as a whistleblower, raising concerns and submitting a petition over alleged irregularities, procedural improprieties, and conflicts of interest within the Commission concerns he claims led to his removal.
In turn, Kurang also filed his own defamation countersuit, seeking D200 million in damages. The counterclaim is directed at Amie Bensouda’s legal team for alleged defamatory statements contained in their cease-and-desist letter.
