Refuting the Mischaracterization of Dr. Lamin J. Darbo’s Legal Representation
By Alagi Yorro Jallow.
Fatoumatta: Recent insinuations by members of the ruling National People’s Party (NPP) that Auditor General Modou Ceesay’s legal representation by Dr. Lamin J. Darbo implies partisan affiliation are not only misleading, they are a fundamental misunderstanding of the legal profession and a dangerous affront to democratic norms.
A lawyer is not a political instrument. Legal practitioners take an oath to uphold justice, serve the public, and defend the rights of any individual who seeks their counsel. Their duty is to the law and to the ethical principles that govern their profession, not to the political affiliations of their clients, nor to the partisan expectations of the state.
Dr. Lamin J. Darbo is a seasoned legal professional and a member of the United Democratic Party (UDP). However, his party membership does not define or constrain his legal practice. He does not represent the UDP in any official legal capacity, and his decision to represent Auditor General Modou Ceesay following Mr. Ceesay’s forceful and controversial removal from office is grounded in professional ethics and constitutional concern, not political maneuvering. To suggest that Mr. Ceesay is aligned with the UDP simply because he retained Dr. Darbo is both outrageous and disingenuous. It is a deliberate attempt to politicize a legal matter and distract from the substantive issues surrounding Mr. Ceesay’s dismissal. Dr. Darbo has a long record of representing individuals from diverse backgrounds, across political, ethnic, and religious lines. His commitment to justice transcends partisan boundaries.
Moreover, the hypocrisy of the NPP’s claims is laid bare when one considers that Lawyer Ida Drammeh, a respected legal figure, serves as personal counsel to President Adama Barrow—himself the leader of the NPP. No one questions her professional integrity or suggests that her clients are automatically affiliated with the NPP. Why then should Dr. Darbo’s representation be treated differently?
This politicization of legal representation undermines the independence of the judiciary and erodes public trust in democratic institutions. It is imperative that we defend the right of every citizen, regardless of political affiliation, to secure competent legal counsel without fear of smear or reprisal.
Fatoumatta: Justice must remain above politics. And lawyers, like Dr. Lamin J. Darbo, must be allowed to serve the public without being dragged into partisan mudslinging.
