National Assembly Building
By Ramatoulie Jawo
The National Assembly on Monday successfully passed the Criminal Offenses Bill, 2020, and the Criminal Procedure Bill, 2020, through the consideration stage with amendments.
Initially introduced by former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Hon. Abubacarr Tambadou, these bills were carried over from the Fifth Legislature and later reintroduced by the current Minister of Justice, Dawda A. Jallow. The initiative aims to complete critical legal reforms that remained unfinished in the previous legislative session.
During the consideration stage, lawmakers meticulously examined the provisions of both bills, ensuring their alignment with national legal frameworks and international standards.
The Criminal Offenses Bill represents the first comprehensive review of The Gambia’s Criminal Code since its enactment in 1933. It seeks to modernize criminal justice legislation by repealing outdated provisions that infringe on freedom of speech, including laws on criminal defamation and sedition.
Additionally, the bill addresses long-standing legal gaps by expanding the jurisdiction of Gambian courts to prosecute individuals who commit offenses abroad and subsequently enter the country, eliminating the need for extradition. It also revises sentencing guidelines to reflect current realities.
Similarly, the Criminal Procedure Bill is the first comprehensive revision of The Gambia’s Criminal Procedure Code since 1933. The bill modernizes legal procedures by introducing provisions for probation, parole, plea agreements, police supervision of convicts, alternative sentencing, corporate trials, private prosecutions, and enhanced protections for witnesses and victims.
Furthermore, the bill establishes clearer guidelines for bail administration, reinforcing judicial discretion while ensuring a fair and efficient legal process. It also upholds the right to a fair and speedy trial by mandating reasonable timelines for prosecutions and court proceedings.Following extensive deliberations and amendments by lawmakers, both bills have been renamed the Criminal Offense and Procedure Bill 2025. The Speaker has scheduled the third reading of the bills for Friday, March 28, 2025, and has directed the Minister of Justice to provide members with copies of the amended versions before the final reading.
If enacted, these reforms will mark a significant step in The Gambia’s ongoing efforts to modernize its criminal justice system and uphold the rule of law.