Former Auditor General, Modou Ceesay, Monday testified before the Supreme Court saying his refusal to comply with presidential interference in key audits led to his dismissal.
According to him, President Adama Barrow and senior aides sought to delay or soften key government audits, citing potential effects on the president’s re-election campaign.
Appearing before a five-member panel led by Chief Justice Hassan Jallow, Ceesay detailed meetings with the president and the chief of staff in which the timing and political sensitivity of audits were repeatedly raised. The testimony forms part of a case challenging the legality of his removal from office.
Ceesay said the audits in question included investigations into the National Food Security Processing and Marketing Corporation, the Ministry of Lands, the Central Bank of The Gambia, and the Government Consolidated Fund. He said he was summoned to the State House after initiating a special audit of the Food Security Corporation and was asked to postpone the audit until 2026 due to its potential impact on farmers and the upcoming elections.
He described similar interventions in audits of the Ministry of Lands and the Central Bank, saying officials expressed concern about ongoing legal disputes and the timing of reports. He added that his office had requested documentation from the Central Bank and the Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA), but that the latter refused to provide tax and customs databases, citing proprietary concerns.
Ceesay said he formally declined a ministerial appointment offered by the president on Sept. 10, 2025, arguing that his expertise lay in auditing. Despite continued pressure from government officials, including the Finance Minister and a member of parliament, he maintained his refusal. He said Cherno Sowe arrived at his office the following day claiming the auditor general position, but he refused to hand over documents, citing lack of official communication.
He recounted that police later escorted him from the National Audit Office after journalists gathered to inquire about his status.
During cross-examination, state counsel Ida Drammeh challenged Ceesay’s account of the GRA data dispute, the timing and validity of his rejection letter, and the alleged presidential interference in audits. Ceesay denied ever requesting personal data from GRA, applying for positions there, or accepting the ministerial post. Several letters and media releases were admitted as evidence.
The Supreme Court adjourned the case until Tuesday for continuation of the cross-examination.
Meanwhile, the cross-examination of Modou Ceesay by State Counsel I. Drammeh continued on Tuesday in the ongoing dispute over his alleged appointment as Minister of Trade.
Ceesay confirmed receipt of a letter from the Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) dated 1st September 2025, although he said he could not recall the exact date. The court admitted the letter into evidence without objection from the defense. Similarly, a publication from What’s On-Gambia was tendered and admitted after Ceesay said he could not remember the specific issue due to the number of publications shared across platforms.
During questioning, Ceesay denied copying the Office of the President on audit matters to seek presidential support, stating that copies were sent only when necessary. He confirmed that the GRA’s line ministry is the Ministry of Finance, not the Office of the President, and that the National Audit Office occasionally engaged private audit firms due to staffing shortages.
Ceesay also denied any instructions from the President to halt audits for electoral reasons and stated that he had not accepted any ministerial appointment, explaining that he informed the President he would respond later.
Following Ceesay’s testimony, State Counsel I. Drammeh called two witnesses from the State House. Alhagie Ousman Ceesay, Chief of Protocol, testified that on 10th September 2025, the President made several appointments and reassignments, including Babucarr Joof to the Ministry of Defense and Cherno Amadou Sowe as Auditor General. He confirmed that Modou Ceesay was ushered to the President’s office and that letters of appointment were issued only after acceptance.
Under cross-examination by Defense Counsel Lamin J. Darboe, Alhagie Ousman Ceesay said he became aware of Ceesay’s rejection of the appointment via social media and not directly. He further confirmed that he had not witnessed any instances of the President instructing the stoppage of audits.
The second witness, Wuday Ceesay, Protocol Officer at the State House, testified that Modou Ceesay visited the President’s office on 10th September and appeared happy upon leaving, informing staff of his appointment. Under cross-examination, she clarified that Ceesay had simply smiled and congratulated exchanges occurred between them, without further elaboration.
The court discharged the witnesses and set dates for the filing of briefs and replies. The matter remains adjourned.
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Former Auditor General, Modou Ceesay, Monday testified before the Supreme Court saying his refusal to comply with presidential interference in…
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