Former Auditor General Modou Ceesay has appeared before the Supreme Court to challenge what he says was his forceful removal from office.

He was accompanied by friends and family for the first hearing of the case.

The lawsuit lists the Minister of Justice, the Inspector General of Police and Cherno Amadou Sowe as defendants.

A five-judge panel led by Chief Justice Hassan B. Jallow presided over the proceedings.

Four civil society organisations have applied to join the case as amicus curiae, or “friends of the court,” to provide independent input.

The court has instructed them and their lawyers to appear on Wednesday to formally present their brief.

Lawyers for both sides made submissions during the hearing, with Lamin J. Darboe representing Ceesay and Senior Lawyer Ida Drammeh representing the State.

By Adama Makasuba