MCA Director Faces Intense Cross-Examination at AKI Trial, Confronts Journalist Over Photo

MCA Executive Director Mr Essa Marenah outside court © Askanwi

By Yusef Taylor, @FlexDan_YT

The Executive Director of the Medicines Control Agency (MCA), Mr Essa Marenah, faced another heated round of cross-examination on Thursday, 3rd July 2025, at the High Court in Banjul. The session, presided over by Justice Ebrima Jaiteh, was led by Lawyer Loubna Farage, counsel for the plaintiffs in the high-profile Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) lawsuit.

Tensions continued outside the courtroom when Mr. Marenah confronted our reporter for photographing him, demanding the deletion of the images.

The AKI lawsuit—filed by 27 grieving parents whose children died after consuming contaminated cough syrup imported by Atlantic Pharmaceuticals and manufactured by India’s Maiden Pharmaceuticals—is drawing to a close. The plaintiffs are seeking over D405 million in damages from the Ministry of Health, the MCA, the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, and the two pharmaceutical companies.

Following the release of the Presidential Task Force report on 21st July 2023—which confirmed the deaths of over 70 children due to contaminated medicines—two top MCA officials, Executive Director Madam Markieu Janneh Kaira and Deputy Executive Director Madam Fatoumata Jah Sowe, were dismissed. Mr. Marenah was appointed as the new Executive Director shortly after. However, the report also noted that Mr. Marenah had served as a certified pharmacist for Stop Step Pharmacy since 2004. He was listed among 11 conflicted MCA officials who worked with pharmaceutical companies while working for the MCA.

Courtroom Drama Unfolds

Thursday’s cross-examination began with a tense atmosphere as Mr. Marenah frequently evaded direct answers and questioned the framing of inquiries.

During an earlier session in late June, when asked if he was aware that the imported medicines had caused the children's deaths, Mr. Marenah reportedly asked counsel, “Caused the death of who?”

To clarify at Thursday’s session, Counsel Farage explained that “the deaths” referred to the children involved in the case. But instead of answering, Mr. Marenah attempted to redefine her statement, triggering a series of interjections from both sides.

Defense lawyer M.D. Mballow, representing the Ministry of Health, MCA, and Attorney General, objected, accusing Counsel Farage of attempting to intimidate the witness. Justice Jaiteh, however, overruled the objection and remarked on the challenges faced when cross-examining intellectuals. He urged Mr. Marenah to listen carefully and respond directly to the questions.

This back-and-forth exchange characterized much of the session, which has been adjourned to continue on 2nd October 2025 at 10:00 a.m. At one point, Mr. Marenah even accused Plaintiff Counsel Yassin Senghore of insulting him in court—a claim not upheld by the judge.

Journalist Confronted Outside Court

Following the session, our reporter began taking photographs of Mr. Marenah outside the courthouse—an action that led to an unexpected confrontation. Mr. Marenah and a colleague attempted to seize the reporter’s phone, insisting the images be deleted. The reporter refused, citing the legal right to take photographs in public spaces, including outside court premises.

As the scene unfolded, Defence Counsel Mballow also approached the reporter, accusing him of confronting his client. The reporter clarified that he had merely taken a photo when Mr. Marenah approached him. He further urged Mr. Mballow to advise his client on standard practices regarding press coverage outside court.

Stay tuned for our full report on the latest developments in the AKI trial.

Bereaved parents outside court © Askanwi