Alhaji Bai Modi Joof
Alhaji Bai modes Joof (* December 15 1933 in Kuntaur, † June 3, 1993 in Serekunda - Latri Kunda ) was a lawyer from Gambia, who practiced his profession from the mid 1970s until his death in 1993. Also known as Alhaji B.M. Joof, B.M. Joof and Lawyer Joof known, he was a member of the Bar Association of the Gambia as well as Barrister and Solicitor in the Gambian Supreme Court. He was referred to during the term of office of the President Kairaba Jawara Dawdaw of parts of the Gambian press as a " champion of freedom of expression ". He was defense lawyers and came from the Wolof and Serer background having family Joof.
Early life
Bai modes was born on 15 December 1933, the son of Ebrima Joof Kuntaur and aji Anna Samba. He was the younger brother of Alieu Ebrima Cham Joof, the Gambian historian, politician and nationalists during the country's colonial period. Bai modes attended the Roman Catholic school in Banjul, before he made his primary school education and his training at the Gambia High School in Banjul ( Gambia Senior Secondary School now ) continued. In Gambia Bai modes worked in various occupations, especially in the civil service as an assessor in tax matters. He went in the late 1950s in the United Kingdom to study law. There he worked as a tax collector for the tax authorities Inland Revenue (now HMRC ). After studying law at the University of London ( Senate House ) he was from November 26, 1974 approved for work in the court system and a member of the Honorable Society of Lincoln 's Inn. The following year (1975 ), Bai modes and his family left the UK and returned to Gambia, where he in Banjul, the firm Gal N'Goneh Fambai 's Chambers founded in 5 Wellington Street. Its riverside firm had Hagan Street be moved into the building 2, next to the building of The Point newspaper in Item 1A, and remained there until Bai Modis death around 1990 /1991.
Legal career
As an expert in International and English Law Bai modes traveled during his legal career, often to Europe to represent his clients. In the Gambia, he was one of the leading lawyers of his generation. He achieved particular public prominence when he in 1984 the editor of the newspaper The Nation represented, who was accused of sedition during the tenure of President Dawada Kairaba Jawara. The doyen of Gambian Press William Dixon Colley, a close friend and owner of The Nation newspaper as well as co-founder and President- General of the Gambia Press Union ( GPU), called for the legal services Bai modes Joofs. Bai modes represented the publisher and won the case, all charges were dropped. Starting this year, entrusted him William Dixon Colley and his colleagues at the GPU, who were impressed by Bai Modis appearances before Gambian dishes and abroad, with the function of the Legal Adviser of the GPU, which he held for several years. During his legal career, Bai modes according to observers played a vital role to reduce the differences between the Gambian political elite and the GPU. His court appearances led to a " cordial relationship between the Gambia Press Union and the Government " and " between him and his colleagues ."
Death and legacy
Bai modes Joof died on June 3, 1993 at his home in Latri Kunda, a suburb of Serekunda. During his legal career modes Bai had a good reputation among the Gambian press as the champion and defender of freedom of expression and press freedom. According to tradition, in the Gambia, he represented all social classes, from the Gambian upper class to the poorest in the country. After his death, his older brother Alieu Ebrima Cham Joof dedicated his book The Gambia, Land of our heritage. The death of Bai modes in 1993 coincided with the retirement William Dixon Colley, who retired from professional journalism. In appreciation Bai Modis William Dixon Colley commented at the death:
" The willingness to help in oppressive times, despite him meted heavy load, and his appreciation for everyone, regardless of class or ethnic background - that was his contribution to the goal of democracy in our society. In this brief tribute on the part of the press Bai modes deserves a place among the knightly supports the humanity of man to man. "