Africa-Press – Gambia. Auditor General Modou Ceesay is taking his removal from office to the Supreme Court, with his lawyer, Lamin J. Darboe, set to file a case before the end of the week challenging President Adama Barrow’s decision.
The legal action follows an incident on Monday when officers from the Kanifing Police Station visited the National Audit Office and instructed Ceesay not to report to work until further notice. His office key and official vehicle were also seized.
The dispute stems from President Barrow’s decision to dismiss Ceesay from his post as Auditor General and reportedly offer him a ministerial position, which Ceesay declined.
“This is an urgent matter,” Lawyer Darboe told reporters. “We know we cannot get an injunction according to the said proceeding act, but that is neither here nor there. If we win the case, he will not only be reinstated, but he will also be paid everything he lost as a result of the unlawful dismissal.”
Darboe stressed that the case is not solely about Ceesay’s removal but about safeguarding the independence of national institutions and the country’s democratic principles.
“This can happen to the police as well,” he warned. “Except for the fact that they think they are working for the president, which is unfortunate, but they, too, need protection so that the inspector general will not be removed in such a manner.”
Calling the president’s action “a setback for Gambian democracy,” Darboe said the matter should not be seen as opposition to the president or the government. “I look at the best interest of the country,” he added.
Darboe concluded that undermining constitutionally protected positions for political convenience weakens the rule of law. “It is not in the best interest of the country that a protected position is being vandalized by the executive arm of government,” he said.
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