By: Nyima Sillah
Former prison warden Corporal Modou Ceesay has threatened to go down the legal route with authorities if his benefits are not worked out within a reasonable time.
Cpl. Ceesay was sacked on 30 November 2022, following the escape of four inmates from the State Central Prison the same day.
Last year, he told The Voice that his dismissal was not official as it was only communicated to him verbally. He held that since no official communication was sent to him in a hard copy, his termination was, therefore, unlawful.
Cpl. Ceesay said he has yet to hear from the prison authorities since his dismissal. “Since my dismissal last year, I haven’t heard from them. I am entitled to get my benefits if the process goes fairly but I don’t get themstill,” he explained to this reporter on Wednesday.
He said his entitlements include gratuity, “WAPS”, and social security benefits, adding that he’s prepared to trigger legal action against the authorities if his benefits are not paid.
The distraught former prison officer explained that if someone is dismissed without an accompanying dismissal letter, entitlement to benefits is guaranteed as the dismissal is rendered unlawful.
Ceesay said his effort for an expeditious payment of his benefits was derailed by the Office of the Ombudsman.
“I don’t have any support from them despite making a series of requests. I went to the office of the Ombudsman several times but it made no difference. I need support from them and the Labour Department for them to guide me in my quest for a legal battle against my lawful dismissal. I want justice to be served,” he bemoaned as he appealed for assistance from the relevant authorities.
Ceesay said he was sacked alongside four other prison wardens but said one has since been reinstated.
When contacted, the Deputy PRO of the Gambia Prisons Department, Luke Jatta, explained that sacked individuals have no entitlement to a gratuity but mayclaim their social security benefits if they are covered.
