Pap Cheyassin Secka
Pap Cheyassin Secka | |
|---|---|
| Born | Cheyassin Ousman Secka June 1942 |
| Died | 29 March 2012(aged 69) |
| Education | University (Law) |
| Occupation | BarristeratLaw |
| Known for | Lawandpolitics |
| Title | LLB |
| Parent(s) | Ousman Secka and Neneh Jobarteh |
| Relatives | Alieu Ebrima Cham JoofandBai Modi Joof(uncles) |
Pap Cheyassin SeckaorPap Cheyassin Ousman Secka(June 1942 – 29 March 2012) was aGambianlawyer and politician.[1][2]He was theminister of justiceand the formerAttorney Generalof the Gambia.[2][3]
Life
[edit]Pap Cheyassin Secka, more commonly known as Cheyassin Secka was born in theGambia Colony and Protectoratein June 1942 by Ousman Secka and Neneh Jobarteh. His children include Oumie Secka and Ndondy Secka. He is the maternal nephew of the Gambian historian and politicianAlhaji Alieu Ebrima Cham Joof. He was educated at the Methodist Boy's High School in colonialBathurstnowBanjul(the capital of the Gambia).[1]By 1962, he became a qualified teacher and taught in the Gambia for many years before pursuing his education in theUnited States.He attended the Hall Academy inNew Jerseyin 1964 before proceeding to theAmerican University in Washing D.C.where he obtained aBAin 1968 and anMAin 1969.[1]It was in the United States where he first became active in politics, as one of the radical political students.[1]Having obtained a fellowship atColumbia Universityin 1970–71, he wascalled to the English Barin 1973. Cheyassin Secka returned to the Gambia in 1973 to set up his law practice.[1]
Career
[edit]During the administration of presidentSir Dawda Kairaba Jawara(the First Republic), Cheyassin Secka became the leader of the defunctNational Liberation Party[2][3]formed on 4 October 1975.[1]However his political career was merred by the country's 1981coup d'étatinstigated by the revolutionistKukoi Samba Sanyang.[2]According to sources, "he was sentenced to life imprisonment for his alleged participation into the Koukoi [Kukoi] coup attempt against Jawara's regime."[2]Having spent nearly 12 years in prison at Mile Two (the country's top prison), he was later granted amnesty.[2][3]
Cheyassin Secka became the GambianAttorney Generalaround 2000, appointed by the Gambian presidentYahya Jammeh.[2]On 10 and 11 April 2000, Gambian studentsheld a demonstration against the regimeof president Jammeh.[4]In this demonstration, many student were massacred by the Gambian forces.[4]President Jammeh was accused of giving the order to open arms against the students, although he denied the accusation.[4]Following this massacre, Cheyassin Secka "read out the April 10 Commission Report, which indemnifies the April 10 student killers to the local press." After reading out this report, he was relieved from his post by president Jammeh on 30 January 2001, following "the indemnification of the student killers".[2]He was abarristeratlawand one of the renowned barristers of the country.[2][3]He joined the legal profession in 1973 as a practicing barrister.[5]He was a member of the GambianBar.[5]
Death
[edit]Pap Cheyassin Secka died on 29 March 2012 in the Gambia. According to sources, he is reported to have complained about a "minor illness" and was taken to hospital. He later died having suffered a heart attack.[2]
References
[edit]- ^abcdefHughes, Arnold; Perfect, David, eds. (2008).Historical Dictionary of The Gambia.Scarecrow Press. p. iii, 156, 202–203.ISBN9780810858251.[1]
- ^abcdefghijM’Bai, Pa Nderry (29 March 2012)."EX Justice Minister Pap Cheyassin Ousman Secka Dies!".Freedom Newspaper.Archived fromthe originalon 7 May 2012.
- ^abcdThe Point Newspaper:"Lawyer Pap Cheyassin Secka passes away"(Retrieved: 17 July 2012)
- ^abcBy Alieu Darboe [in] the Gambia Voice[2](Retrieved: 17 July 2012)
- ^abForoyaa News:"LEGAL FRATERNITY BID FAREWELL TO LATE PAP CHEYASSIN SECKA - Foroyaa Newspaper".Archived fromthe originalon 13 February 2013.Retrieved17 July2012."Legal Fraternity Bid Farewell to late Pap Cheyassin Secka" ] (Retrieved: 17 July 2012)