Although the government insisted Ceesay had initially accepted the post.
The controversy has ignited fierce debate over the independence of oversight institutions in The Gambia. Critics argue that the President’s decision to reassign Ceesay violates the National Audit Office Act of 2015, which guarantees the Auditor General’s autonomy and shields the office from political interference.
Civil society groups and legal experts have condemned the removal as unconstitutional, warning that it undermines transparency, accountability, and the rule of law.
A press release from the Office of the President indicated that Modou Ceesay had indeed accepted the appointment as Minister of Trade during his visit to the presidency, something he (Modou Ceesay) denied in a letter shared by the NAO office.
Speaking to journalists, Lamin J. Darboe, legal counsel to the embattled Auditor General, stated: “The matter has now been transferred to the Supreme Court, and I will be representing it there. We cannot delve too deeply into the details at this stage, as the case is about to go before the court. However, we are preparing all the necessary filings to ensure the Supreme Court can determine whether the President has the authority to forcibly remove the Auditor General from office.”
“We believe such a removal is unlawful, and that is the argument we will present before the Court. The government will have the opportunity to respond to our case in court. For now, all we can confirm is that the matter is progressing. We intend to file the case no later than the end of this week, as it is an urgent issue.”
“We are aware that we cannot seek an injunction under the current procedural laws, but that is beside the point. If we win, Mr Ceesay will not only be reinstated, but he will also be compensated for all losses incurred due to this unlawful dismissal. This is, in every sense, a dismissal, and I must say, it is an assault on the constitutional process of this country. It is not merely an attack on him personally, but on all independent institutions operating within The Gambia,” he postulated.
“Even the police, unfortunately, seem to believe they are working solely for the President. They too require protection to ensure that the Inspector General of Police cannot be arbitrarily removed. We believe there is legal precedent in favour of the Auditor General in this matter.”
For his part, Auditor General Modou Ceesay commented: “We have consulted with our lawyer and have entrusted him to proceed with the necessary legal processes. We will allow the legal team to handle the matter accordingly.”
When asked whether he felt disappointed by how the situation unfolded, Mr Ceesay responded: “It is a deeply unfortunate incident for our democracy, our commitment to accountability, and the rule of law. We are indeed disappointed. It has revealed intentions that were previously concealed claims that I was being promoted to a higher position were clearly not genuine. It is now evident that the aim was not promotion, but rather to remove me from the role of Auditor General.”
“I have spoken to my counsel, and they will take care of the rest.”
