Three judges at the Industrial Tribunal Court decided they could hear a case about two professors who say they lost their jobs unfairly. Matarr Njie and Dr. Alieu Gibba claim the University of The Gambia fired them wrongfully, breaking their employment contracts. These teachers want the court to make UTG hire them back right away. They also demand repayment of their salaries, D5 million for damages, plus D200,000 to cover their legal expenses.
The university lawyers tried to stop the case from moving forward. They claimed these teachers count as civil servants who fall outside Labor Act protection. The defense team argued that certain parties named in the lawsuit weren't properly before the court. They mentioned Acting Registrar Bobo Baldeh was sued personally even though he acted as part of his job. The lawyers insisted that staff at higher education schools must take complaints to the special UTG tribunal instead.
Attorney Malick HB Jallow, representing both professors, fought against these objections. He pointed out that the case directly targets UTG, with no documents showing his clients qualify as civil servants. Jallow explained that using the university tribunal remains just one option that doesn't block access to the Industrial Tribunal. The judges carefully considered these arguments before making their decision.
The panel, led by chairman MS Jallow with members J Krubally and M Sankareh, determined that UTG employees cannot be civil servants because the university doesn't belong to the civil service. They kept Bobo Baldeh listed in the lawsuit since they lacked enough proof about whether he acted personally or officially. The tribunal stated it has full authority to handle cases involving employment contracts and labor disputes. The court rejected all objections and told the professors to present their evidence, after which the defendants must respond to the claims.
The university lawyers tried to stop the case from moving forward. They claimed these teachers count as civil servants who fall outside Labor Act protection. The defense team argued that certain parties named in the lawsuit weren't properly before the court. They mentioned Acting Registrar Bobo Baldeh was sued personally even though he acted as part of his job. The lawyers insisted that staff at higher education schools must take complaints to the special UTG tribunal instead.
Attorney Malick HB Jallow, representing both professors, fought against these objections. He pointed out that the case directly targets UTG, with no documents showing his clients qualify as civil servants. Jallow explained that using the university tribunal remains just one option that doesn't block access to the Industrial Tribunal. The judges carefully considered these arguments before making their decision.
The panel, led by chairman MS Jallow with members J Krubally and M Sankareh, determined that UTG employees cannot be civil servants because the university doesn't belong to the civil service. They kept Bobo Baldeh listed in the lawsuit since they lacked enough proof about whether he acted personally or officially. The tribunal stated it has full authority to handle cases involving employment contracts and labor disputes. The court rejected all objections and told the professors to present their evidence, after which the defendants must respond to the claims.
