[7] He was the younger brother of Alhaji Alieu Ebrima Cham Joof, the Gambian historian, politician and nationalist during the country's colonial period.
He left for the United Kingdom in the late 1950s to study law where he was also employed as a civil servant working as a tax officer with the Inland Revenue (now the HMRC).
Having studied law at the University of London (Senate House) he was called to the bar on 26 November 1974 and was a member of the Honourable Society of Lincoln's Inn.
He achieved particular fame and notoriety when he represented the editor of the Nation Newspaper in 1984 charged with sedition, during the administration of president Sir Dawada Kairaba Jawara.
[1] During his legal career, Bai Modi is reported to have played a crucial role through his performance of duty, in breaching the gap between the Gambian political elite and the GPU.
[11] In paying tribute to the passing of Bai Modi, William Dixon Colley said: The willingness to help in times of stress, in spite of the heavy burdens thrust upon him, and his respect for all, irrespective of class or ethnic background - this was his contribution to the aim of democracy in our society.