Auditor General Modou Ceesay has blasted his appointment as Trade Minister, calling it a dishonest tactic aimed at removing him from office.

The controversy erupted after he rejected the ministerial offer from President Adama Barrow last week.

On Monday, riot police were deployed to forcefully remove him from his office, sparking widespread condemnation.

Gambiana managed to speak to Ceesay while he was whisked away in one of his staff vehicles and described the incident as “an unfortunate situation for our democracy and accountability for the rule of law.”

He added: “we have consulted with our counsel so we are now taking the matter to him. It’s an unfortunate situation for our democracy and accountability for the rule of law. And we are quite disappointed.”

He went on to explain the real motive behind the appointment. “It has shown the intention that was harboured and was not coming out in the assertion that was being made that they wanted you to be promoted and take a higher position. I think we have seen that they are really interested in a promotion rather than how do we get Modou Ceesay out of the office.”

Mr Ceesay’s defiance has drawn national attention, highlighting tensions between political appointments and independent public office holders.

His stance has been praised by civil society groups who see the episode as a test for democratic principles in the country.

Observers note that sending riot police to remove a senior civil servant is unprecedented and raises serious concerns about government overreach.

The situation has sparked debate on political interference in independent institutions and the challenges facing the Gambia’s young democracy.

By Adama Makasuba