The cross-examination of former Auditor General Modou Ceesay concluded today in the Supreme Court, followed by the State calling two witnesses: Alhagie Ousman Ceesay, Chief of Protocol, and Wuday Ceesay, Protocol Officer at the State House.
The witnesses’ testimony challenged Modou Ceesay’s claim that he rejected the Ministerial appointment immediately upon receiving the letter.
Continuation of Cross-Examination
Counsel Ida Drammeh for the State pressed Modou Ceesay on his correspondence, official procedures, and claims of presidential interference.
Counsel I. Drammeh: It’s correct that the Gambia Revenue Authority sent you a letter date 1st September 2025.
Modou Ceesay: Yes, but I can’t remember the date.
(The letter was confirmed and admitted into evidence.)
Counsel I. Drammeh: Please look at this What’s On Gambia publication.
Modou Ceesay: After carefully looking at the publication. Modou said he can’t remember the publication as there were many What’s On – Gambia publications shared to many platforms.
(The publication was admitted into evidence already)
Counsel I. Drammeh: Is it correct or not that you have the behavior of copying the office of President on some audit issues?
Modou Ceesay: No, it depends when there’s a need to copy.
Counsel I. Drammeh: When you say it depends because you want the support of the president.
Modou Ceesay: No, maybe it has to do with the office of President.
Counsel I. Drammeh: It’s correct that the office of the president isn’t the line ministry of GRA.
Modou Ceesay: Yes.
Counsel I. Drammeh: The line ministry of GRA is the ministry of Finance.
Modou Ceesay: Yes.
Counsel I. Drammeh: It’s correct that the office of the president is copied because you need his intervention.
Modou Ceesay: No, I have given you a reason when the issue affects his office.
Counsel I. Drammeh: Are you familiar with the process of appointment?
Modou Ceesay: No, I’m not.
Counsel I. Drammeh: Do you know that the chief of staff is a minister?
Modou Ceesay: Yes.
Counsel I. Drammeh: It is correct that the minister told you to delay the land audit until the land report to the National Assembly is done.
Modou Ceesay: That’s what he said not no only that.
Counsel I. Drammeh: You are related to the former chief of staff and Alhagie Badou Ceesay.
Modou Ceesay: Yes, but a long distance relationship.
Counsel I. Drammeh: And because of your relationship with them that’s why they came to talk to you.
Modou Ceesay: I don’t know that but what they told me is that they are sent by the president.
Counsel I. Drammeh: It’s incorrect that the president told you to stop the audit because it will affect his election.
Modou Ceesay: He said that on several occasions.
Counsel I. Drammeh: I’m putting it to you that the Minister of Finance didn’t tell you your matter is discussed in the cabinet.
Modou Ceesay: He told me.
Counsel I. Drammeh: I’m putting it to you that you have accepted the appointment and later changed your mind.
Modou Ceesay: No, I didn’t change my mind after I received the letter I told the president I will get back to my and I did why rejecting the appointment.
Counsel I. Drammeh: I’m putting it to you that you have accepted the appointment.
Modou Ceesay: No, I haven’t accepted the appointment.
At this point, Counsel I. Drammeh concluded her cross examination and called on her first witness in the case. Alhagie Ousman Ceesay, Chief of Protocol was called to the witness box and he took an oath. He testified on the appointments made on 10th September 2025.
Counsel I. Drammeh: Do you know the plaintiff?
Alhagie Ousman Ceesay: Yes.
Counsel I. Drammeh: Do you remember anything that happened on the 10th September 2025?
Alhagie Ousman Ceesay: Yes
Counsel I. Drammeh: Tell the court
Alhagie Ousman Ceesay: On September 10th 2025, the president decided to make some appointments and re-assignments of the ministry of trade and Defense.
To that effect the first person to be invited to the statehouse was Babucarr Joof and he ushered to the president’s office where they had a discussion. When he was leaving he passed through my office and told me that he was re-assigned to the Ministry of Defense and I congratulate him and wish him all the best.
The second person to come was Modou Ceesay and he was also ushered into the office of the president where they had a discussion and when he was leaving I saw him through my office.
Later was Cherno Amadou Sowe who was also ushered in the president office and was appointed as Auditor General.
Immediately, he left my phone rang and it was the president and he told me both of them accepted the appointments and the press release can be released. Then the letter for Cherno Alieu Sowe and Modou Ceesay appointment was released to the press.
Counsel I. Drammeh: As chief of protocol at what stages is a letter of appointment handed over to someone appointed.
Alhagie Ousman Ceesay: Yes, it happened after a consultation with the president and the person accepted the offer and a letter is then handed over to him/her.
Counsel I. Drammeh: Are you aware in any instead where a letter is handed over before the acceptance.
Alhagie Ousman Ceesay: No.
Counsel I. Drammeh: Are you aware that the president wanted to stop certain audit. How many years have you been working with the president.
Alhagie Ousman Ceesay: Since 2017 I never witnessed such.
Alhagie Ousman Ceesay concluded this evidence in chief and was cross examined by Counsel Lamin J Darboe for the plaintiff.
Cross-Examination of Chief of Protocol by Counsel J. Darboe
Counsel J Darboe: You said Modou Ceesay accepted the Minister position.
Alhagie Ousman Ceesay: Yes.
Counsel J Darboe: Have you seen the envelope.
Alhagie Ousman Ceesay: Yes.
Counsel J Darboe: Is the envelope sealed or not.
Alhagie Ousman Ceesay: No, the envelope was never sealed.
Counsel J Darboe: It is possible to open the envelope at that place and know the content.
Alhagie Ousman Ceesay: Normally the president will have a discussion before the letter is issued. So you know that content already before the letter is issued.
Counsel J Darboe: Have you ever seen the appointment letter of minister.
Alhagie Ousman Ceesay: No, but his letter was addressed to the Chief of staff and I have seen it.
Counsel J Darboe: It’s correct that once someone is appointed he/she write to the president to either accept or reject.
Alhagie Ousman Ceesay: Yes, but in this case the letter is addressed to chief of staff not the President.
Counsel J Darboe: Did you not see the letter sent to the president.
Alhagie Ousman Ceesay: Yes, but the letter is addressed to the chief of staff.
Counsel J. Darboe presented Exhibit P2.
Counsel J Darboe: I’m putting it to you that you are aware of the rejection of the appointment.
Alhagie Ousman Ceesay: No, I see it on social media.
Counsel J Darboe: You as the chief of protocol, chief of staff and President knew that he rejected the appointment on the 11th September 2025.
Alhagie Ousman Ceesay: As I said I knew it on social media.
Counsel J Darboe: Were you aware of the rejection of the trade Minister position.
Alhagie Ousman Ceesay: I was aware of it on social media.
Counsel Lamin J Darboe concluded his cross examination and second witness Wuday Ceesay was invited to the witness box for her evidence in chief in the case for the state.
Wuday Ceesay, Protocol Officer at the State House testified about her interaction with the plaintiff on the day of the appointment.
Counsel I. Drammeh: Mrs Ceesay tell the court your full name and position.
Wuday Ceesay: My name is Wuday Ceesay Protocol officer at Statehouse.
Counsel I. Drammeh: Did you see Modou Ceesay at the statehouse?
Wuday Ceesay: Yes.
Counsel I. Drammeh: Did you interact with him?
Wuday Ceesay: Yes
Counsel I. Drammeh: What was your interaction with him?
Wuday Ceesay: When he was coming Alhagie Ousman Ceesay called to clear him and the gate. Upon their arrival, I ushered him (Modou Ceesay) and I used to call him brother and he used to call me sister. He went into the office of President and spent some time and when he came out happy and told my sister I’m appointed as Minister of trade and I replied brother congratulations may it favor you.
Wuday Ceesay concluded her evidence in chief and Counsel Lamin J Darboe cross examined her.
Cross-Examination of Protocol Officer by Counsel J. Darboe
Counsel J Darboe: Is Modou Ceesay singing or dancing when he was coming out of the President’s office.
Wuday Ceesay: No.
Counsel J Darboe: But you said he was happy, what way was he happy.
Wuday Ceesay: Yes, he was smiling.
Counsel J Darboe: Did you take the picture of the smile
Wuday Ceesay: No, I’m not a photographer
Counsel J Darboe: Did he talk to you.
Wuday Ceesay: Yes.
Counsel J Darboe: What did he tell you.
Wuday Ceesay: He told me he’s appointment.
Counsel J Darboe: That’s your imagination, he didn’t tell you that.
Wuday Ceesay: He did.
Counsel J Darboe: It’s correct you’re allocated multiple state land.
Wuday Ceesay: No, I’m not.
At this point, Counsel J Darboe informed the supreme Court that he had no further questions and the witness was discharged.
The Supreme Court set a date for the filing of briefs and replies on point as the case is set for adjournment.
The case adjourned to the next term.
