The Supreme Court of the Gambia has on Tuesday, ruled that the removal of former Auditor General of the National Audit Office (NAO), Modou Ceesay’s removal was unconstitutional and awarded him 4 million dalasis of compensation.
The Court further stated that the act has violated Ceesay’s constitutional rights, while declining to reinstate him back to his position as a result of the current holder of the office already spending nine months in the same position.
However, the Supreme Court ordered that Ceesay continues to receive his salaries and allowances until his retirement in 2035, with his outstanding salaries and allowances from the previous month up to the date of the judgment be paid as well.
Speaking after the judgment, Ceesay’s Counsel, Lawyer Lamin J. Darboe, concorded with the court’s reasons for not reinstating Ceesay but slammed the State for its continued abuse of powers.
Reacting on the judgment, human rights defender and Executive Director of the Edward Francis Small Center for Rights and Justice (EFSCRJ), Madi Jobarteh, said he is not happy about the court’s ruling that Ceesay cannot be reinstated but commends the court for the compensations for Ceesay.