In a ruling on Thursday, the Banjul High Court refused Standard Chartered Bank (SCB) Gambia Limited’s application to stay a D250 million payment order, instead reducing the deposit to D140 million in a high-stakes legal battle with 82 employees. The case, centered on SCB’s planned sale to Access Bank Gambia Limited, could redefine employee protections during corporate transitions in The Gambia.
The court’s decision aligns with the plaintiffs’ calculations of dues owed, excluding the Provident Fund, when the lawsuit was filed on March 10, 2025. Vocational Judge Omar Suso noted that the employees’ claims may increase as the case progresses, leaving the order open to future adjustments if the plaintiffs prevail at trial. The court also awaits disclosure of the Provident Fund details, as requested by the plaintiffs, to clarify any additional amounts owed.
As a condition of the bank’s transfer, SCB must immediately deposit D140 million into an interest-bearing account controlled by the Sheriff, pending the case’s resolution. The ruling follows a conditional injunction on April 16, 2025, initially setting the deposit at D250 million to secure potential employee compensation.
The dispute erupted when SCB announced the divestiture of its commercial banking subsidiary, sparking fears of redundancies among employees. Led by Ebrima Jatta and Musu Badjie, the plaintiffs, represented by Counsel Ebrahim Sanneh, argue that the sale jeopardizes their rights to continued employment, severance pay, redundancy benefits, and Provident Fund proceeds under the Labour Act of 2023. They also allege breaches of contract by SCB’s management.
SCB, represented by Lawyer Ida Drammeh, has faced criticism for allegedly withholding critical sale-related information. On April 28, the plaintiffs accused the bank of delaying tactics, pushing for a vacation judge to address SCB’s stay application. Thursday’s session saw Judge Suso adjourn the case without a fixed date for the final ruling, leaving both sides awaiting a decision that could set a precedent for corporate accountability.
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