By Landing Ceesay
The civil lawsuit filed by Senegalese businessman Abdoulaye Thiam (plaintiff) against Gambian socialite Aisha Fatty is ready to proceed to trial following months of pre-trial proceedings.
Thiam, the plaintiff, is suing Fatty, his former fiancée, for allegedly breaching their engagement promise. He claims that the breach has caused him emotional distress and embarrassment. Thiam is also suing the Inspector General of Police, Abdoulie Sanyang, who is the second defendant in the civil suit.
The highly publicized civil suit is being heard and decided by Hon. Justice Ebrima Jaiteh of the High Court of the Gambia.
During Tuesday’s hearing, Counsel Lamin A. Ceesay, representing Thiam, informed the court that they had concluded their pre-trial case.
Ceesay further informed the court that they would not be submitting any additional documents at this time but would like to file an urgent motion.
However, Hon. Justice Jaiteh requested that he wait until the trial proper to file the motion.
Commencing his pre-trial advocacy, Counsel Lamin S. Camara, representing the first defendant, Aisha Fatty, informed the court that his client had filed a statement of defense on April 19, 2023, along with an affidavit of witness statement on the same day.
Counsel LS Camara further stated that six exhibits were attached to these documents, which Aisha Fatty intended to rely on in her defense.
The Plaintiff’s (Abdoulaye Thiam) Counsel, LA Ceesay, raised no objections to the admission of the documents the first defendant intended to use in her defense.
Hon. Justice Jaiteh then admitted the documents into evidence and marked them accordingly.
Counsel LS Camara informed the court that they would not be filing any further documents for the time being and closed their pre-trial case.
On behalf of the Inspector General of Police (second defendant), Counsel Muhammad B. Sowe, a senior state counsel, informed the court that the IGP had filed a statement of defense in the case.
Counsel M.B. Sowe added that the IGP had filed a statement of defense dated April 25, 2023, along with a response to the first defendant’s statement of defense dated May 3, 2023.
Counsel M.B Sowe mentioned that the Inspector General of Police (IGP) submitted a witness statement affidavit under Pa Alieu Jawara’s name.
Neither the plaintiff’s lawyer nor the 1st defendant’s lawyer objected to admitting the documents into evidence.
Subsequently, Hon. Justice Jaiteh admitted the documents into evidence and adjourned the case to November 21st, 2023.