Gambians Against Looted Assets (GALA), a prominent civil society organization dedicated to combating corruption and promoting transparency, has called for an independent investigation into the actions of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Almameh S. Manga, a serving police prosecutor and nominee to the Anti-Corruption Commission.
The demand follows circulating social media allegations linking Manga to a Wave money transfer in connection with an ongoing land dispute in Salagie. Manga recently issued a public statement denying any bribery, extortion, or corruption, describing the payment as compensation for legitimate private legal services he provided as a qualified practitioner.
In a strongly worded statement, GALA acknowledged Manga’s denial but expressed deep concern about several aspects of his account that have been confirmed. The group highlighted the ethical red flags raised when a serving police prosecutor becomes directly involved in facilitating access to investigators, advising disputing parties, conducting site visits related to a matter, and later accepting paid private legal work from an individual tied to the same case.
GALA stressed that such actions blur the lines between public prosecutorial responsibilities and private practice, creating a clear conflict of interest that erodes public trust in the impartiality of Gambia’s justice system. The organization emphasized that anti-corruption standards extend beyond criminal liability to include strict adherence to ethical norms, avoidance of even the appearance of impropriety, and safeguarding institutional integrity.
“Anti-corruption is not assessed solely by criminal culpability, but also by adherence to ethical standards, avoidance of conflicts of interest, and preservation of institutional integrity,” GALA stated. The group noted that Manga’s references to his personal integrity, prior service, or the modest amount involved do not address the core principled issues at stake—particularly given his role in law enforcement and potential position on the Anti-Corruption Commission.
GALA urged Gambian authorities to take decisive steps to restore confidence, including: A full, independent, and impartial review by relevant oversight bodies, Explicit policy guidance on whether prosecutors may offer private legal services linked to matters within the criminal justice system, and temporary administrative measures, if needed, to protect the credibility of key institutions while the matter is examined.
The organization reiterated its longstanding principle: “No individual is above scrutiny, especially those entrusted with enforcing the law and combating corruption.” GALA warned that defensiveness or politicization of such issues only weakens public institutions, while genuine accountability strengthens them.
The controversy has drawn attention from other groups, including calls for probes by organizations such as the Edward Francis Small Centre for Rights and Justice (EFSCRJ), amid broader public debate over ethical standards in Gambia’s law enforcement and anti-corruption bodies.
