By Staff Reporter
The civil society organisation Edward Francis Small Centre for Rights and Justice (EFSCRJ) on Wednesday called for an official investigation into the conduct of Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Commissioner and police prosecutor Almami S. Manga, citing alleged abuse of office and conflict of interest.
In a statement issued in Banjul, EFSCRJ said it had reviewed allegations circulating on social media linking a police prosecutor to bribery and corruption, as well as a rebuttal statement issued by Commissioner Manga.
The organisation said admissions contained in the rebuttal suggested conduct falling short of the ethical and professional standards expected of a serving police officer and an anti-corruption official.
According to EFSCRJ, Mr. Manga acknowledged facilitating access for a complainant to the Special Investigations Unit (SIU), accompanying parties on a site visit while the matter was under investigation, acting as an intermediary between investigators and private individuals, and transmitting documents to the Ministry of Justice for verification.
EFSCRJ said these actions amounted to undue involvement in an active police investigation and constituted interference.
The organisation also raised concerns over what it described as a clear conflict of interest, citing Mr. Manga’s admission that he later provided paid legal services to one of the individuals involved in the dispute.
In his rebuttal, Mr. Manga said he rendered legal drafting services in his capacity as a qualified legal practitioner and that payments received were for lawful professional services. He also acknowledged having previously prosecuted the same individual.
EFSCRJ argued that under accepted police ethics, anti-corruption norms and administrative standards, a serving police prosecutor and ACC commissioner should not provide paid legal services to individuals who are, or were recently, under investigation in matters connected to their official duties.
The organisation said the conduct violated Section 222 of The Gambia’s Constitution, which prohibits public officers from placing themselves in situations where personal interests conflict with official responsibilities, as well as provisions of the Gambia Police Force Code of Conduct.
The dispute at the centre of the matter involved two private individuals, Tijan Khan and Pa Famara Badjie, and was already before the police, EFSCRJ said, adding that Mr. Manga’s personal involvement was unnecessary.
EFSCRJ said Mr. Manga should have recused himself immediately once personal connections emerged and disclosed the matter to both the Police Command and the Anti-Corruption Commission.
The organisation called on President Adama Barrow to establish a vetting committee in line with the Anti-Corruption Act 2023 to investigate the matter and remove Mr. Manga from the commission if found culpable.
It also urged the Inspector General of Police to institute a separate inquiry into the allegations, including claims of bribery, and said it would submit a formal complaint to the relevant authorities.
For his part, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Almameh Manga has rejected allegations of bribery and corruption circulating on social media, describing them as “false, misleading, and a deliberate misrepresentation of lawful professional conduct.”
The allegations were made in a Facebook post by Muhammed Teks Takanyi, who accused Mr. Manga — a nominated commissioner of the newly established Anti-Corruption Commission and a former senior corruption officer at the United Nations — of receiving money in connection with a land dispute.
Takanyi demanded that Mr. Manga issue a public apology, refund the money, and report himself to the Gambia Police Force by midday on 2 February 2026, warning that he would otherwise petition the police, the National Assembly, the Gambia Legal Council and the United Nations.
Responding publicly for the first time, ACP Manga said the matter arose from a lawful, private and professional engagement, and not from corruption, bribery, inducement or abuse of office.
“I wish to state clearly, unequivocally and on the record that the transaction being referenced relates to a lawful, private and professional engagement,” he said, adding that his initial silence was out of respect for due process and advice from senior figures, not fear or guilt.