Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL) – The Judiciary of The Gambia has responded to recent claims made in the publication “FPAC to send a warning letter to Judiciary for Contempt” by The Point Newspaper and other media outlets. The Judiciary has stated its commitment to addressing these allegations promptly and clearly.

Contrary to the assertions in the publication, the Judiciary has emphasized that allegations of failure to submit financial reports and non-attendance at a meeting with the Finance and Public Accounts Committee (FPAC) of the National Assembly on 18th April 2024 are entirely inaccurate.

The Judicial Secretary, who serves as the vote controller, sent all audited reports of the Judiciary from January 2011 to June 2019 to the National Assembly on March 27th, 2024. Copies of these reports were also provided to the Auditor General. The Judiciary further noted that its accounts have been audited by external auditors every five years, with the next audit expected in 2024, highlighting its commitment to accountability and compliance.

Additionally, the Judiciary clarified that the scheduled meeting with the FPAC was actually set for 24th April 2024, not 18th April as claimed in the publication. Therefore, any allegation of failure to attend the meeting is baseless.

As the third and independent arm of government, the Judiciary reiterated its respect for other state organs and expects the same respect in return. The Judiciary emphasized the importance of diligence and accuracy for all state organs and media outlets.

The Judiciary’s response aims to clarify the inaccuracies in the publication and reaffirm its commitment to transparency, accountability, and cooperation with other branches of government.