By Ousman Saidykhan
The Minister for the Environment, Rohey John Manjang, has filed a civil suit against Kebba Ansu Manneh, an Investigative reporter for The Alkamba Times (TAT), concerning a report by the journalist published three months ago.
“The legal team, that is, my legal team, filed a writ of summons at the High Court in Banjul on Thursday, 3 September 2024, suing Kebba Ansu for libel and slander in regards to the malicious and unfounded allegations he made against me concerning the two illegally felled Mahogany trees at Kiang Kaif.”
Rohey John Manjang said this at the National Assembly in answer to questions by lawmakers on Wednesday after a Lawmaker for Kiang East, Hon. Yayha Gassama, sought answers from the Minister about the investigations into the two Mahogany trees that were cut in Kiang Kaif in May 2024 in which the Minister was alleged to have been involved.
Meanwhile, TAT has confirmed that neither Kebba Ansu nor their lawyers have received any summons from the court in Banjul, and the publication stance remains the same.
“I spoke to my reporter, Kebba Ansu Manneh, and our Lawyer, Junkung Jobarteh, and both said they have not received any summon. Our earlier position in this case remains the same,” TAT Editor Sainey Marenah said.
TAT’s investigative article, authored by Kebba Ansu and published on 29 June 2024, included the allegation that D150,000 was paid into a bank account belonging to the Minister.
That figure was from the D200,000 allegedly generated from the sale of a Mahogany tree felled in the outskirts of Kiang Kaif village in the Lower River Region.
Minister Manjang declared that her decision to sue the reporter is “in line with due process” and her “rights to do so under the laws of The Gambia.”
TAT had contacted the Minister before publishing the investigative piece to get her response, but she declined to comment and threatened to sue anyone who participated in the publication should the medium publish the article.
After it was published, a letter from the Minister’s lawyers disputed the story and demanded an apology and retraction from TAT or risk of being sued.
In answer to questions in the National Assembly, Minister Manjang said mahogany trees were cut down in May 2024 and left in the community’s custody.
According to her, on 19 July 2024, the Regional Forestry Officer in the Lower River Region subsequently informed the Director of Forestry about the removal of the two trees without their notice or authority.
“The matter was reported to the District Chief, a native of the village, and the Alkalo. They helped in gathering information from the village to determine who was responsible for the unauthorized removal of the Mahogany.
“When no headway was made by the team, the matter was reported to the Mansakonko Police Station for further investigation at the Criminal Investigation Division. The investigation is currently ongoing. We are waiting to receive it (the results)”.
