By: Alieu Ceesay
The Supreme Court of The Gambia has begun preliminary proceedings in a landmark case filed by former Auditor General Modou Ceesay, who claims that his forced removal from office was unconstitutional. The lawsuit, targeting the Attorney General and the Inspector General of Police (IGP), has sparked widespread debate about the independence of the National Audit Office and the limits of presidential power.
Ceesay, ousted from his role on September 11, 2025, by officers of the Gambia Police Force, accuses the state of violating constitutional protections and the National Audit Office Act of 2015. His legal team argues that his removal breached sections 158, 159, 160, and 169 of the 1997 Constitution and key provisions of the Audit Act, rendering it “unlawful and null.” Ceesay is seeking reinstatement as Auditor General and a court declaration that his eviction was unconstitutional.
During the hearing, the state’s legal team, led by Counsel Thomas, confirmed receipt of Ceesay’s lawsuit but noted that they had not yet filed a response. The court granted the state 21 days to submit its defense, with Ceesay’s team given seven days to reply thereafter. The case was adjourned to December 2025 for further hearings, with journalists barred from the chambers as the court reviewed procedural matters, including jurisdiction and the sufficiency of Ceesay’s initial evidence.
The controversy surrounding Ceesay’s removal began after he rejected a ministerial appointment offered by President Adama Barrow on September 10, 2025, as Minister of Trade, Regional Integration, and Employment. Ceesay, preferring to remain Auditor General, declined the role in writing, citing his commitment to his audit duties. Hours later, a replacement was introduced at his office, and by September 15, police forcibly evicted him, triggering public outcry. Dozens of youths protesting the move were arrested, amplifying the case’s political weight.
Ceesay’s lawsuit alleges direct presidential interference in his work. He claims Barrow pressured him to delay or halt audits of the Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA), the Central Bank of The Gambia (CBG), and the National Food Security Processing and Marketing Corporation (NFSPMC), citing potential political fallout ahead of elections. Ceesay further alleges that Barrow obstructed access to critical financial data, undermining the Audit Office’s independence.
The case has drawn attention as a critical test of The Gambia’s constitutional framework, particularly regarding the autonomy of the Auditor General’s office. Legal experts say a full hearing could set a precedent for defining the boundaries of executive influence over independent institutions.
