Lamin Jawara, Director of the Ship Registry at the Gambia Maritime Administration (GMA), has categorically denied allegations that he fled the country to avoid a corruption investigation, insisting that his current stay in Sweden is solely to defend his PhD thesis at the prestigious World Maritime University (WMU) in Malmö.
The controversy erupted following media reports suggesting that Jawara had absconded after being implicated in probes into the disappearance of an official registry stamp and the alleged fraudulent registration of vessels potentially linked to international sanctions. Local outlets, including references in What’s On Gambia, cited a letter and other sources claiming that Jawara was arrested, charged, released on bail, and then left Gambia, prompting authorities to consider issuing an international arrest warrant and pursuing extradition.
In a detailed rebuttal, after the Alkamba Times reached out to him for an interview, Jawara addressed the claims head-on. “I am currently in Sweden at the World Maritime University to defend my PhD thesis,” he stated. “I have informed the police during the investigation about this program.” He described his travel as pre-planned and legitimate, emphasizing that authorities, including the police and government, were aware of his academic commitment. Jawara highlighted the significance of the WMU, established by the United Nations in 1985 to build capacity in maritime governance for developing nations, noting he could become the first Gambian to defend a PhD there. The university has awarded a few doctorates in recent years—three in 2019, one in 2020, four in 2022, and a record 10 in 2023—underscoring the program’s selectivity and prestige.
Jawara, a chartered engineer with over 29 years in public service, has a distinguished career spanning roles at the Gambia Ports Authority, where he served as General Manager of Gambia Ferry Services, and internationally with NYC Ferry in New York, where he served as Engineering Projects Manager and Fleet Maintenance Supervisor. His academic pursuits include a focus on climate change governance in global shipping as a PhD candidate and research assistant/fellow at WMU-Sasakawa Global Ocean Institute.
He clarified key elements of the investigation. Jawara asserted he was never a direct suspect in the stamp’s disappearance, as the official registry stamp’s custody was delegated to senior team members based on criteria such as punctuality, though he retained overall fiduciary responsibility. “Throughout my tenure, I intercepted several fraudulent certificates and developed procedures for handling such cases, including reporting to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) via intermediaries and the West African Abuja Memorandum of Understanding,” he said, claiming evidence supports these actions.
On vessel registrations, Jawara denied registering ships under United Nations sanctions, distinguishing between global UN measures and unilateral sanctions by individual countries. He said he advised GMA management to adopt a formal policy on sanction-related registrations, but noted a preference for ad hoc approaches that allow for discretionary decisions. “I have never been involved in any corrupt practice and have never received bribery from anyone,” Jawara declared. “I challenge anyone to bring forward evidence of bribery in my official dealings. If I had agreed to receive bribes like others, I would not be facing this battle.” He maintained that all vessels under his oversight were properly registered with fees paid into official accounts.
Jawara corrected reports on his legal status, stating he faced charges of negligence of office and abuse of office—not corruption or forgery of judicial documents—stemming from his fiduciary role. He described the process as an invitation for a professional panel interview rather than an arrest. “I suggest we allow the police to complete their investigation, and the truth will be revealed,” he added.
He also addressed the de-registration of 72 vessels, revealed during the probe. Jawara claimed this action was a bypass of due process and appeared intended to conceal facts, surprising even police investigators. Best practice, he argued, would involve case-by-case handling given each vessel’s uniqueness.
Jawara dismissed talk of an international arrest warrant as a “media campaign” not originating from official police channels. He expressed confidence in returning home after his defense, with no government intent to disrupt the program, given its importance to national capacity building.
The case unfolds against the broader scrutiny of Gambia’s ship registry. Earlier in 2025, reports highlighted rapid fleet growth, including tankers potentially tied to sanctioned trades, amid outsourcing controversies involving the GMA’s director general and family appointments. In November 2025, the GMA deregistered 72 vessels to address fraudulent certificates and compliance issues, aiming to prevent their misuse in shadow-fleet operations and bolster global credibility. The administration has publicly stated that it prohibits registering vessels sanctioned by the US, the UK, the EU, or others.
No independent verification of active extradition efforts has emerged, and authorities have yet to publicly respond to Jawara’s detailed clarification.
