Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – The Standard Newspaper has reported that two senior lecturers at the University of The Gambia (UTG), Dr. Alieu Gibba and Dr. Matarr Njie, walked out of a disciplinary hearing on Wednesday, raising concerns about the impartiality of the process. The hearing was convened to address allegations the lecturers made against the university’s management.

In a statement issued after the incident, Dr. Gibba and Dr. Njie explained their decision to leave the hearing. “We objected to participate and left the disciplinary session because we believe the UTG issues we have raised are dealing with the Council and Senate, and those are the very people who comprise the disciplinary committee. One cannot be a lawyer and adjudicator at the same time or a player and referee simultaneously,” the statement read.

The lecturers argued that being investigated by individuals who were the subject of their allegations compromised the integrity of the process. They emphasized that this situation violated the principle of natural justice and fair hearing, fundamental tenets of legal and academic standards.

Dr. Gibba and Dr. Njie further stated that their criticisms of the UTG’s governance and practices were made in good faith, exercising their constitutional rights to freedom of expression and academic freedom. They challenged the university to publicly refute their claims with concrete evidence, a task they believe UTG will struggle to accomplish.

“We then decided not to participate in the hearing. We further argued that ‘the one who alleges must prove,'” the lecturers added, expressing their skepticism about the committee’s ability to deliver a fair verdict.

The Standard newspaper reported that the two lecturers are now awaiting the committee’s decision, despite their concerns about the fairness of the proceedings.