Africa-Press – Gambia. Alagie Mamadi Kurang, the former Secretary of the Janneh Commission, has issued a defiant response following a D144 million defamation lawsuit filed against him by renowned legal practitioner and former lead counsel of the Commission, Amie Bensouda.
In a statement shared on Facebook, Kurang wrote, “You can’t silence me,” signaling his refusal to back down amid mounting legal pressure.
The lawsuit, initiated by the law firm Antouman A.B. Gaye & Co. on behalf of Mrs. Bensouda, accuses Kurang of leading what it describes as “a proactive and defamatory campaign.” A legal notice dated May 16, 2025, demands that Kurang immediately cease dissemination of the alleged defamatory remarks. It warns of legal proceedings seeking damages amounting to D144 million, as well as injunctive relief, should he fail to comply within seven days.
Addressing criticism online regarding his social media activity, Kurang dismissed claims of deleting posts: “Never Deleted! Nothing to delete! If we share your post and you delete, good luck! We will NOT accept the LOOT of a generation in silence,” he declared.
Reaffirming his position, Kurang added, “Thank you, Gambia; I hear you, I feel you, I see you! We are NOT backing down! A Generational Wealth Cannot disappear in silence.” He also cited Lebanese-American poet and philosopher Khalil Gibran: “A truth can walk naked, but a lie always needs to be dressed.”
The lawsuit has sparked considerable public reaction, particularly on social media, where a few activists and commentators have rallied in support of Kurang.
Kexx Sanneh, a member of the Gambians Against Looted Assets (GALA), defended Kurang’s public statements, emphasizing their legitimacy:
“I Stand with Kurang in Defense of Our Collective Interest. Alhaji Mamadi Kurang postings and interviews are legitimate questions, not allegations. So, the lawsuit against him is a direct attack to his unwavering commitment to transparency and accountability regarding the handling of the national assets. Kurang’s writings and interviews represent a determined pursuit of truth and accountability, calling upon members of the commission, including Amie Bensouda, and other members of the commission to provide a transparent account of their work,” he said.
Prominent social commentator Ndey Jobarteh also weighed in, arguing that the case carries broader implications for civic discourse in The Gambia:
“Truth on Trial: Why the Lawsuit Against Alhaji Mamadi Kurang Should Alarm Every Gambian. On the surface, it’s a defamation case, a legal demand to silence one man who has, for years, consistently criticized how the Janneh Commission handled its mandate. But dig deeper, and you’ll find that the D144 million lawsuit filed by Amie Bensouda against Alhagie Mamadi Kurang is not just about reputational damage. It is about who gets to control the story of post-Jammeh justice in The Gambia,” she wrote.
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