In recent weeks, the public has been inundated with sensational claims made by former Auditor General Modou Ceesay, accusing President Adama Barrow of interfering with the work of the National Audit Office. These allegations—amplified by opposition-aligned outlets—have cast unnecessary doubt on the integrity of the presidency and the institutions that underpin our democracy.
While concerns about transparency and accountability are always valid, Ceesay’s claims rest on unverified allegations, contradictions, and glaring inconsistencies that fail to stand up to scrutiny.
Where Is the Evidence?
If Modou Ceesay truly possessed evidence that President Barrow interfered with audits, why didn’t the public know long before his dismissal?
It is well-documented that Ceesay’s office had a pattern of leaking audit reports—often prematurely and selectively—to opposition-linked media houses. This was a direct violation of the Audit Office’s confidentiality rules and raised serious questions about professional ethics within that institution.
If he could leak classified audit reports, why did he never leak evidence of the President’s so-called interference?
The answer is simple: no such evidence exists. His sudden moral awakening after being removed from office—and after rejecting a ministerial position—appears less about integrity and more about personal revenge.
. Lawful Oversight Is Not Interference
The Gambian Constitution and the National Audit Office Act empower the president to ensure accountability and coordination across government. Seeking clarification on audit timelines or administrative procedures—especially during sensitive national periods such as elections—is not political interference, but responsible governance
No evidence has surfaced that President Barrow ever hlted an audit;
Ordered the alteration of findings; or
Issued directives contrary to the law.
Until credible proof emerges, these accusations remain politically motivated conjecture—nothing more.
The Pattern of Leaks and Political Bias
Multiple reports have established that the Auditor General’s office under Ceesay’s leadership leaked draft reports to partisan media outlets known for their hostility toward the government. This behaviour betrays the neutrality expected of a constitutional officer.
For someone now claiming that he was “silenced” by presidential pressure, his own track record of selective leaking tells a different story.
His “silence” conveniently served his job security, and his “voice” only emerged after he lost his position. That is not courage—it is calculated opportunism.
Timing Exposes Motive
Ceesay’s allegations came only after two key developments:
His removal from the office following internal disciplinary concerns and. His rejection of a ministerial appointment extended in good faith by the president.
If he truly believed in accountability, why entertain or even consider a position from the very administration he now accuses? His actions expose not conviction, but bitterness is disguised as principle.he could have resigned in protest.
Barrow’s Record Speaks for Itself
President Adama Barrow’s leadership has been marked by institutional strengthening, not suppression. Under his administration:
The National Audit Office Act (2015) was enacted to guarantee greater independence and operational autonomy.
Budgetary allocations to oversight institutions have increased, ensuring they can perform without constraint.
The Judiciary and National Assembly continue to operate freely—proof of a healthy separation of powers.
These are the hallmarks of democratic progress, not autocratic control.
Integrity or Opportunism?
If Ceesay’s allegations were genuine, he had clear, lawful avenues available to him:
He could have reported interference to the National Assembly.
He could have resigned in protest.
He could have filed a constitutional complaint.
He did none of these. Instead, he chose silence while in office, leaks when it suited him, and accusations after dismissal.
This is not the conduct of a principled whistleblower—it is the behaviour of a bureaucrat seeking revenge for lost privilege.
Defending Presidential Integrity
Since taking office in 2017, President Barrow has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to the rule of law, institutional independence, and democratic reform. The attempt to tarnish his record with baseless accusations is not only unfair—it is an insult to the Gambian people who value truth over propaganda. Modou Ceesay’s credibility is fatally undermined by his office’s repeated leaks; His silence at critical moments; and
his sudden, self-serving “revelations” after removal. If he truly stood for transparency, he would have acted when it mattered most—not when it served his ego.
The Final Word
The Gambian people deserve facts, not theatrics. They deserve governance rooted in truth, not bitterness. Until Modou Ceesay provides verifiable proof of presidential wrongdoing, his claims remain bitter echoes of personal disappointment, not evidence of corruption.
President Barrow’s record speaks louder than the noise: a leader focused on nation-building, stability, and institutional integrity.
Jarra News TV Editorial Board
For truth, balance, and accountability in national discourse.
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