Fallou Gallas Ceesay, a nominated councillor, has received a legal cease-and-desist order from Banjul’s Lord Mayor Rohey Malick Lowe, intensifying a public battle over claims of financial mismanagement and corruption at the Banjul City Council.
The letter, which is dated February 5, 2026, warns that legal action may be taken against Mr. Ceesay for allegedly launching what the mayor’s lawyers refer to as a “deliberate, intentional and sustained campaign of smear” that aims to harm Mayor Lowe’s reputation as well as the legitimacy of the council’s leadership.
According to the notice sent by A. Fatty & Co Chambers, Mr. Ceesay has made false claims on a number of occasions on social media and broadcast platforms, including accusations of financial impropriety, corruption, favoritism in the selection of officials for international travel, and mismanagement of public funds.
The legal warning refers to Mr. Ceesay’s recent appearance on Eye Africa TV’s current affairs show Sunu Reww, in which he purportedly charged that the council leadership was causing internal strife and marginalizing council members.
At the heart of the conflict is the city’s flagship project, the Urban Youth Led Cleaning System Project, which aims to improve cleanliness and provide jobs for young people. The legal team for Mayor Lowe claims that Mr. Ceesay’s public remarks casting doubt on the project’s financing and execution amount to defamatory assaults on the council’s reputation.
On social media, Mr. Ceesay has supported his claims, claiming to have dozens of financial papers that might link council officials to wrongdoing. Additionally, he has accused the council of violating the Local Government Act by neglecting to hold scheduled monthly meetings.
The cease-and-desist notice was sent in accordance with Rule 3(1) of the High Court Rules, 2022, which mandates that parties try to reach a mutually agreeable solution through negotiation prior to bringing legal action, according to the mayor’s attorneys.
According to the letter, Mr. Ceesay must immediately cease uttering what the mayor’s office refers to as defamatory remarks and take back his assertions. Mayor Lowe’s legal team says it is ready to start official proceedings in the High Court if he doesn’t comply.
