Momodou Sabally has finally issued an apology to businessman Abubacarr Jawara amid a protracted defamation case at the high court.

Jawara, who owns Gach company, has sued Sabally accusing the latter of defamation and slander.

He had demanded Sabally to “issue an “unreserved apology” to him “to be published in widely circulating national newspapers” and 8 million dalasis as damages for defamation and slander.

Jawara claimed that Sabally’s alleged defamation has caused damages to his business interests.

He alleged that he was “forced to shut down his tomato processing factory due to inability to secure vital raw materials with the aid of his partners whom have disconnected from him in consequence of defamatory publications made by the defendant.”

However, Momodou Sabally, who recently decamped from the opposition United Democratic Party and joined the ruling National People’s Party, has issued the apology on his Facebook page.

He said the alleged defamatory article was not intended to hurt Mr Jawara.

“It was not my intention to hurt Jawara or his business and I am sorry that the situation evolved to that kind of effect as reported,” he said in the apology statement.

“I do not want this matter to be protracted any further and it is my resolve to end this conflict that had also hurt friends and families that Jawara and I hold dear in common. The sacred bonds that bind Jawara and I as Sarahulleh and Badibunka prohibit any legal tussle between the two of us.

“In view of the foregoing, I hereby sincerely apologize to Abubakary Jawara for any inconvenience and loss caused by my writings and utterances about him and his businesses,” he added.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba