Photo: Lawyer Amie Bensouda (left) -Alagi Mamadi Kurang (right.
By Staff Writer
Prominent Gambian legal practitioner Amie N.D. Bensouda has served a formal cease and desist letter to Mr. Alagi Mamadi Kurang, former Secretary to the Janneh Commission and ex-presidential candidate, in response to what her legal counsel characterizes as “a protracted and defamatory campaign.”
The letter, dated 16 May 2025 and written by the law firm Antouman A.B. Gaye & Co., demands that Mr. Kurang immediately halt the dissemination of allegedly defamatory remarks made about Mrs. Bensouda. The letter outlines the potential for legal action, including claims for damages totaling D144 million and injunctive relief, should Mr. Kurang fail to comply within seven days.
Mrs. Bensouda, as her attorneys highlight in the letter, stands as a pillar of the Gambian legal community, with over four decades of distinguished service. She currently serves as the Managing Partner of Amie Bensouda & Co. LP. Her esteemed career includes leadership as President of the Gambia Bar Association, a tenure as senior lecturer at the Gambia Law School, and appointments to numerous international panels, including the World Bank’s Technical Advisory
The origins of the dispute trace back to Mr. Kurang’s role in the Janneh Commission, which investigated the financial dealings of former President Yahya Jammeh and his associates. During his tenure, the Commission tasked him with overseeing the disposal of assets seized by the state, including vehicles and agricultural equipment. Mrs. Bensouda’s legal team alleges that this process was marred by “administrative lapses and financial irregularities,” including unbanked proceeds, duplicated payments, and sales lacking reserve prices.
A particularly contentious episode according to Mrs. Bensouda’s attorneys, was Mr. Kurang’s July 2018 memorandum, circulated to high-ranking government officials, including the President and Attorney General, in which he accused Mrs. Bensouda of misconduct. In a formal rebuttal, Mrs. Bensouda refuted the claims as “vitriolic” and “rooted in deep-seated resentment,” asserting that her legal team’s contributions to the Commission were both significant and conducted with “extreme professionalism.” She further recommended that either she or Mr. Kurang be removed from their respective roles to maintain the Commission’s integrity. Mr. Kurang was relieved from his post shortly thereafter.
Despite his removal in 2018, Mrs. Bensouda’s legal counsel contends that Mr. Kurang has continued a campaign of public defamation against her, particularly via social media and public commentary, spanning from 2020 to the present. The letter accuses him of using euphemisms and coded references such as “mafia,” “Gupta(s),” and “corrupt woman” to target Mrs. Bensouda while avoiding direct identification.
The cease and desist notice highlights specific allegations considered defamatory, including:
- Claims that Mrs. Bensouda was involved in the sale or acquisition of assets seized by the Commission;
- Assertions of conflicts of interest and “shady dealings”;
- Repeated implications of bias or impropriety during the Commission’s operations;
- Allegations that she sought or derived personal gain from her role.
The letter further states that as Secretary to the Commission, Mr. Kurang was fully aware that Mrs. Bensouda, in her capacity as Counsel, had no mandate over asset sales or valuations. The sustained publication of these claims, it argues, is malicious and calculated.
In addition to domestic legal action, Mrs. Bensouda has reportedly retained legal counsel in London to explore proceedings against Meta Platforms, Inc., in relation to alleged defamatory content published and disseminated via Facebook by Mr. Kurang.
Her lawyers have issued the following demands:
- An immediate cessation of all defamatory statements;
- Permanent removal of existing defamatory content from social media and public platforms;
- A full and unreserved retraction and apology, subject to prior legal approval;
- Written confirmation of compliance within seven (7) days from the date of the letter.
Failure to comply with these conditions, Bensouda’s lawyers stated, will lead to legal action without further notice, seeking general and aggravated damages amounting to D144 million.
At the time of publication, Mr. Kurang has not issued a public response.