Auditor General Ordered Out of Office as Police Collect Keys Amid Leadership Uncertainty

By Alieu Jallow, The Fatu Network

The Auditor General of The Gambia, Modou K. Ceesay, has been ordered to desist from entering his office at the National Audit Office (NAO) until further notice, with his office keys handed over to police officers on Monday morning.

In an exclusive interview with The Fatu Network, Binta Touray, the Communication Specialist at the NAO, described the tense atmosphere as both plainclothes and uniformed police officers mounted the institution’s premises.

Touray recounted discussions between Ceesay and the officers, during which he was instructed to stay away from work until further notice, an order he accepted in the interest of peace.

“At the discussion that AG calmly had with them, they mentioned that he was not to come to work until further notice, until they are advised as to how this situation ends. So, to avoid any further altercation, AG agreed to leave and then also reassured staff to just stay calm until we know how things are going to unfold for now. But as you might have witnessed, they’ve requested to collect his office keys, and those have been given to them,” Touray explained.

Ceesay’s situation comes on the heels of his appointment as Minister of Trade, Employment, and Regional Integration, a development that saw Director of Internal Audits, Amadou Sowe, elevated to the role of Auditor General. However, according to the NAO’s communication specialist, there has been no formal confirmation regarding Sowe’s official assumption of the position.

“At my level, no communication has been forwarded to me, for the awareness of staff, that there is a new auditor general, and this morning we engaged the HR, and he also confirmed the same that they haven’t received any official letter announcing that the appointed new Auditor General will be reporting to work,” she said.

Touray also commended Ceesay for his leadership and vision, citing his efforts in advancing transparency and accountability across public institutions, and appealed for public support during what she called “trying moments.”

“So, we just count on everybody’s support, and also as we navigate this situation and hope that things get resolved amicably at the end of the day,” she added.

The Auditor General, after lengthy discussions with officers, peacefully vacated his office under heavy police presence. His next move remains uncertain, whether he will take up his ministerial appointment as directed by the president or step down entirely. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Trade, Employment, and Regional Integration remain without a head following the redeployment of Babucarr Ismaila Joof to the Ministry of Defence.