The dispute, which has been escalating over recent weeks, reached a tipping point following a series of remarks allegedly made by Councillor Ceesay against the mayor. Lowe’s legal team is preparing to take decisive action, citing reputational damage and the need to protect the integrity of both the mayor and her office.
In a letter obtained by The Point, Lowe’s lawyers wrote: “We are instructed by the office of the Mayor of the Banjul City Council (BCC) in respect of this Cease and Desist and Notice of Legal Action (Pre-Action Letter). This letter is in compliance with Rule 3(1) of the High Court Civil Procedure (Alternative Dispute Resolution) Rules, 2022 with regards to exploring amicable settlement between parties through negotiation before instituting action in Court.”
The letter accuses Councillor Ceesay of embarking on a “deliberate, intentional and sustained campaign of smear” aimed at irreparably damaging the mayor’s reputation.
It cites repeated allegations of corruption, financial impropriety, mismanagement, collusion, and favouritism — claims the mayor’s office strongly denies.
The lawyers highlight remarks made by Ceesay during a recent Sunu Reww current affairs programme on Eye Africa TV, where he accused the BCC leadership of financial mismanagement and marginalisation of councillors.
They also reference a letter allegedly written by Ceesay to the U.S. Embassy in Banjul, making serious allegations against the mayor and her team in relation to the REFELA/BCC Cleaning Partnership.
The letter describes Ceesay’s statements as “grossly false, misleading and vindictive,” claiming they were “premeditated and motivated by wilful malice to tarnish and damage her name and reputation.”
Legal Demands
Mayor Lowe’s legal team is demanding that Ceesay:
Retract his statements immediately; Issue a public apology for the reputational harm caused
Failure to comply, they warn, will result in a High Court action seeking: A declaration that his statements were defamatory; D5,000,000 in damages for reputational harm, and Legal and administrative costs
The notice concludes with a final warning: if Ceesay fails to comply within 14 days, civil action will be filed without further notice, with the mayor also seeking punitive damages.
