Profile: Dr. Lamin J. Darbo - A Guardian of Constitutionalism and Justice in The Gambia

In a country still emerging from the shadows of authoritarianism, Dr. Lamin J. Darbo has stood firm as a guardian of constitutionalism, civil liberties, and the rule of law. Born in the sprawling Coastal settlement of Gunjur in the Southern part of The Gambia and a product of world-class legal institutions, Dr. Darbo has cultivated a reputation for judicial independence, scholarly excellence, and unwavering ethical commitment - principles that echo in the hearts of Gambians longing for justice and accountability.

Dr. Lamin J. Darbo - A Guardian of Constitutionalism and Justice in The Gambia

Early Life and Legal Formation

Dr. Darbo’s path to becoming one of The Gambia’s leading legal minds was forged through an exceptional blend of experience and education.

His early career included a stint as a journalist with Radio Gambia in 1981, followed by roles at Standard Chartered Bank (1981–1986) and ActionAid The Gambia (1986–1989). But long before that, his talent for analysis and expression was clear: he won first prize globally in a 1979 international essay competition organised by the International Union for Child Welfare during the UN’s International Year of the Child.

He was also an editor of both Sunu Kibaro (Saint Augustine’s High School Magazine, 1978–79) and TINGOL (Gambia High School Sixth Form Magazine, 1980), Darbo’s early dedication to public discourse foreshadowed his later legal activism.

After moving to the United States in 1989, he earned a BA in History (1993), a Doctor of Jurisprudence (1995), and later a Postgraduate Diploma in Law (2000). In 2001, he completed the Bar Vocational Course and was called to the Bar of England and Wales by Lincoln’s Inn.

Dr. Darbo returned to The Gambia, enrolling as a legal practitioner in December 2003, and later obtained an LLM in International Law and Criminal Justice in 2008.

This rich academic and professional formation prepared him to confront and challenge injustice at every level.

A Resigned Magistrate Who Refused to Compromise

In 1999, while serving as Principal Magistrate in Brikama, Dr. Darbo made a defining choice. After acquitting Imam Karamo Touray and others in a high-profile case, he came under direct pressure from the Ministry of Justice to reverse his decision or issue an apology.

He refused.

Rather than compromise his judicial integrity, Dr. Darbo resigned, making a powerful statement about independence and the rule of law in a time when such principles were often sacrificed for political expediency.

Constitutional Firebrand

Since then, Dr. Darbo has emerged as a key voice in shaping The Gambia’s constitutional discourse. He has not shied away from controversy, taking principled stands on critical issues:

• Opposition to Executive Overreach: He fiercely criticised the unconstitutional appointment of “regional executive coordinators” who bypassed elected local councils.

• Critique of the 2020 Draft Constitution: He called the document a “copy-and-paste job,” faulting it for lacking contextual grounding in Gambian realities.

• Repeal of Colonial-Era Laws: Darbo has consistently demanded the removal of sedition laws - colonial relics still weaponised to suppress dissent.

Through both legal arguments and public commentary, he insists that The Gambia’s laws must grow from its lived realities, not be imported from distant or authoritarian precedents.

Defender of Due Process in Politically Charged Cases

In 2023, Dr. Darbo returned to national headlines as defense counsel for Ousainou Bojang, accused of fatally shooting two police officers. Amid public outrage and political tension, Darbo’s advocacy focused not on popularity but on principle:

• He challenged Bojang’s prolonged detention as unconstitutional.

• He questioned the prosecution’s evidence, citing the lack of forensic support such as DNA or ballistics.

• He reminded the judiciary of its duty to uphold rights, even in the most difficult cases.

His stance reinforced a fundamental truth: the right to a fair trial must never yield to mob justice or political pressure.

Legal Thought Leader and Mentor

As the founder of the Dabanani Law Centre, Dr. Darbo channels his legal expertise into public interest litigation and democratic reform. Through influential columns in The Standard, Kerr Fatou, Gunjuronline.com and Freedom Newspaper, he continues to educate the public on:

• Media freedom and press rights

• Equitable representation in public office

• Transparent governance and transitional justice

• Mentoring and guidiance of youg legal minds under his Law firm

He is also a strong proponent of strengthening the National Assembly’s oversight function, asserting that democracy flourishes not just through elections, but through robust institutions and an informed electorate.

A Legacy in Motion

Dr. Lamin J. Darbo’s life work is a testament not just to legal excellence, but to moral clarity. From Brikama’s courtrooms to national debates on constitutional reform, he has consistently demonstrated that principle can - and must - triumph over power.

In a country searching for credible, courageous voices, Dr. Darbo stands out - not because he sought influence, but because he chose integrity when it mattered most.

For our readers in Gunjur, up and down the country and beyond, his legacy is a call to action: the struggle for justice, progress, peace and prosperity must be constant, grounded, and unflinching. It belongs not to a select few, but to all Gambians who believe in dignity, fairness, and the promise of the rule of law.