Africa-Press – Gambia. The Lord Mayor of Banjul, Rohey Malick Lowe, has issued a formal cease-and-desist notice to a nominated councillor, Fallou Gallas Ceesay, escalating a public dispute over allegations of corruption and financial mismanagement at the Banjul City Council.
The letter, dated Feb. 5, 2026, signals the possibility of legal action and accuses Mr. Ceesay of mounting what the mayor’s lawyers describe as a “deliberate, intentional and sustained campaign of smear” aimed at damaging both Mayor Lowe’s reputation and the credibility of the council’s leadership.
The notice, sent by A. Fatty & Co Chambers, alleges that Mr. Ceesay has repeatedly made false claims across broadcast and social media platforms, including accusations of corruption, financial impropriety, favoritism in the selection of officials for foreign trips, and the mismanagement of public funds.
The legal warning cites Mr. Ceesay’s recent appearance on Sunu Reww, a current affairs program aired on Eye Africa TV, where he allegedly accused the council leadership of marginalizing councillors and fostering internal divisions.
At the center of the dispute is the Urban Youth Led Cleaning System Project, a flagship initiative launched by the city to create jobs for young people while improving sanitation. Mayor Lowe’s legal team says Mr. Ceesay’s public comments questioning the project’s funding and implementation amount to defamatory attacks on the integrity of the council.
Mr. Ceesay has defended his statements, saying on social media that he possesses dozens of financial documents that could implicate council officials in irregularities. He has also criticized the council for failing to convene regular monthly meetings, which he argues is a breach of the Local Government Act.
According to the mayor’s lawyers, the cease-and-desist notice was issued under Rule 3(1) of the High Court Rules, 2022, which requires parties to attempt an amicable settlement through negotiation before filing a lawsuit.
The notice demands that Mr. Ceesay immediately stop making what the mayor’s office describes as defamatory statements and retract his claims. If he does not comply, Mayor Lowe’s legal team says it is prepared to initiate formal proceedings in the High Court.
