Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – The Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy recently held a consultation review and validation workshop for the Evidence Bill, with support from the Council of Europe and close collaboration with the Ministry of Justice (MOJ). The purpose of this workshop was to close gaps in the current Evidence Act and bring it into compliance with contemporary standards by incorporating provisions pertaining to electronic evidence into the Evidence Bill. The initiative is essential to strengthening the fight against cybercrime.

Mr. Sanusi Drammeh, Director of Cybersecurity and the Ministry’s point of contact for cybercrime, led the sessions. He gave some history of the Ministry’s and the Council of Europe’s ongoing cooperation. In his opening remarks, Mr. Lamin Camara, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, thanked the Council of Europe for its assistance in developing laws and policies pertaining to cybercrime and the protection of personal data over the course of almost ten years.

During his speech, Mr. Camara emphasized that unscrupulous actors take advantage of these chances to compromise the data and systems of individuals and enterprises. He observed the shift from manual and analog operations to digitalization. He emphasized the necessity for stronger laws to fight cybercrime, emphasizing the role that provisions pertaining to electronic evidence play in accomplishing this.

A representative of the Council of Europe, Ms. Anastasia Gadja, Senior Program Officer on Cybercrime, outlined the significance of electronic evidence in investigative processes. According to her, electronic evidence is essential for guaranteeing the transparency and integrity of evidence, empowering judges to render wise decisions and efficiently administer justice.

The Ministry of Justice was represented at the consultations by Mr. Binga Dinshiya, Director of Civil Litigation. In order to make sure that laws accomplish their intended goals, he emphasized the significance of good legislation and the necessity of taking stakeholders’ viewpoints into account. He urged all parties involved to cooperate.

Prof. Abdou Karim Jallow, Director General of the Gambia Information and Communications Technology Agency (GICTA), thanked the Council of Europe and stakeholders on May 22, 2024, during the closing session. He thought about how the effort had come historically and the consultant’s early confidence.

After taking into account all of the feedback, the Evidence Bill’s final draft will be sent to the Cabinet for approval before being presented for adoption at the National Assembly.