Diplomatic passport fraud: Police confirm arrest of 3 protocol officers, President’s driver

Gambian police have confirmed arresting at least nine people in connection to alleged diplomatic passport fraud involving 3 protocol officers at the Foreign Ministry and driver of President Adama Barrow’s driver.

In a statement on Monday, the Inspector General of Police said they have opened an investigation into a case of diplomatic passport fraud involving one Saikou Sanneh, Ibrahim JS Sanneh and Ousman Touray (currently at large).

All the three are protocol officers at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The police said the investigation began on 23rd August 2019.

As the probe progresses, a driver to the President, Mansa Sumareh, was arrested in relation to the same matter. Both Mansa and the protocol officers, according to the police, were allegedly helping to facilitate diplomatic passport for one Bakary Susso.

In a similar development on the 24th August 2019 Malick Tunkara was arrested at the Airport in possession of a suspected fake diplomatic passport, said the police.

“Yankuba Susso, Amadou Touray, and Musa Njie were arrested for their involvement,” said police in a statement on Monday.

“On the 27th August 2019, Superintendent Banka Jatta and Chief Inspector Lang Tombong Sabally of the Gambia Immigration Department were invited for questioning.

“On the 30th August 2019 Michael T Ladipo a Nigerian national was also arrested in connection to the case.”

The police investigation did not mention involvement of any top Government official. It is not clear when the alleged perpetrators will be put before the court.