Gambian court postpones Jammeh's election dispute hearing to May

Gambia’s Chief Justice has postponed President Yahya Jammeh’s election dispute hearing to May due to the absence of judges.

The hearing is likely to take place in May when five foreign judges of the seven-member panel from Nigeria and Sierra-Leone are expected to sit, the Chief Justice, Nigerian-born Emmanuel Fagbele said.

“You will recall that our justices are usually scheduled to sit in your Supreme Court in the months of May and November. Based on this long established understanding, our court sitting schedule is usually drawn up with the consideration of this assignment,” a portion of a letter believed to be from the acting Nigerian Chief Justice W. S. N. Onnoghen read.

Nigeria wont send judges to Gambia following regime's request for judges to hear Jammeh polls petition #JammehFact #GambiaHasDecided pic.twitter.com/1QRyVW6Lxv

— JammehFact (@JammehFact) January 9, 2017

The chamber of the Supreme Court was packed with Jammeh’s supporters while others flooded the premises with placards in support of their leader who has refused to transfer power.

#Gambia: Lawyer Edu Gomez says his client Prezi #Jammeh 'will pursue right' to the fullest, saiks2 #GambiaHasDecided pic.twitter.com/726G8hgJuU

— Sanna Camara (maimuhyai) January 10, 2017

More #Jammeh supporters ferried to court house after adjournment, no judge to hear their petition #GambiaHasDecded pic.twitter.com/fERiila38y

— Sanna Camara (@maimuhyai) January 10, 2017

Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari will lead an ECOWAS delegation to The Gambia on Wednesday, January 11 as part of efforts aimed at resolving the political impasse in the country.

Foreign Affairs Minister GeoffreyOnyeama speaks on the outcome of today's Mediation Meeting on the Gambian political crisis. pic.twitter.com/cWw9bcrLLv

— Govt of Nigeria (AsoRock) January 9, 2017

ECOWAS, which has pledged to use mediation in resolving the crisis contrary to an earlier position of force, reiterated its stance to resolve the impasse in conformity with the Gambian constitution and respect for the will of the people.

Photo Credit: Sanna Camara