Dr Bamba Banja, former permanent secretary at the ministry of fisheries, has become the first high profile civil servants to be jailed for corruption.

Dr Banja, who was one of several officials at the ministry of fisheries accused of corruption, was handed a two year mandatory jail term by a court in Banjul. 

He was charged with three counts of public misconduct including economic crimes, official corruption and public officer receiving property to show favour. All charges carried severe punishment. 

Dr Banja was arrested three years following groundbreaking investigation by Malagen, a media platform set up to probe corruption in The Gambia. 

A statement from the Ministry of Justice and Attorney General Chambers, said that Dr Bamba Banja’s conviction related to his acceptance of bribes to secure the release of fishing vessels that had been arrested by the Gambia Navy for violating fisheries regulations.

“The public is further informed that Dr Banja has been duly convicted, and as such, has received appropriate punishment in accordance with the severity of his crimes.

“Specifically, count 1 relating to economic crimes has resulted in a mandatory jail term of 2 years, coupled with a fine of D1, 000,000 to be paid to the state. 

“On count 2 relating to official corruption, Dr Banja has been ordered to pay a fine of D100,000 or serve 1 year in jail. 

“On count 3 relating to public officer receiving property to show favour, Dr  Banja has been ordered to pay a fine of D50, 000 or serve 6 months in jail.” 

Reporting by Adama Makasuba