By Fatou Sillah
Lamin Manneh, Deputy Secretary for External Affairs of the United Democratic Party (UDP), has strongly criticized the recent removal of Auditor General Modou Ceesay, describing the action as unconstitutional.
In an interview with West Coast Radio, Manneh emphasized that the Auditor General’s office enjoys a secure nine-year tenure under the 1997 Constitution and the National Audit Act. He noted that removal from office is only permissible in cases of proven incapacity, misconduct, or voluntary resignation—none of which, he argued, apply to Ceesay.
“None of these things happened; he has not voluntarily resigned, he has not been incapacitated, and he has not been derelict in duty. He has not had any case of misconduct,” Manneh said.
Manneh also criticized the reassignment of Ceesay to a ministerial position, calling it a lateral move designed to sideline the Auditor General. He noted that Ceesay declined the appointment, as it fell outside his area of expertise.
“They promote you to get out of the way. So they kicked him sideways and gave him a promotion to become a minister. And he said, No, that is not my specialty,” Manneh stated.
Highlighting constitutional protections for the office, Manneh underscored that the president’s decision disregarded these safeguards. When questioned about Ceesay’s political affiliations, he clarified that the former Auditor General has no ties to the UDP.
Manneh further stressed that political considerations cannot override the law. He revealed that Ceesay intends to challenge the removal in court, suggesting a possible legal victory could result in reinstatement.
“The president will have egg on his face because he will have to remove the current incumbent and reinstate the original auditor general,” Manneh concluded.