Letter Writer Alleges Massive Corruption & Nepotism At Gambia Drug Squad
Dear Editor:
May I bring to the attention of our beloved nation the form of pure nepotism and classic bullying and corruption currently taking place at the National Drug Enforcement Agency in Banjul? This unacceptable behaviour and action is taking place under the leadership of Bun Sanneh who is not only violating the code of conduct of the Agency but also blatantly trying to deceive the authorities and other hard working officers.
Mr. Sanneh unlawfully helped to secure employment of more than ten members of his family in the Agency without the normal procedures or even vetting them prior to gaining employment in this important office. One of his employed family members is even an ex-convict who has no place in the force. Most of these employees are also family members of his two wives and currently they are treating the Agency as a family property.
Most annoyingly, alleged criminals who decided to enter plea bargains with the Agency have drugs and cash seized from them misused instead of putting them into government coffers. What a disservice to the taxpayers’ money? Our complaints fall on deaf ears and clearly this is emotionally and psychologically affecting hard working staff whose self-confidence are now very low at this moment.
Again Mr. Sanneh's son is now studying in the United Kingdom with full salary since more than five months ago even though the other officers on study leave like his son are denied any pay or form of support to pursue their studies. What an unfair mess?
At this moment Mr. Sanneh is engaged in a bogus promotion exercise within the Agency leaving hard working staff angry and disgruntled. He is boasting to be a close associate of President Jammeh hence the authority to do whatever he wishes.
We are really suffering from this menace of nepotism and bias and calling on President Jammeh, the Interior Minister, the new Inspector General of Police and the media to help us expose this unacceptable behaviour and conduct an independent inquiry into the activities of Mr. Sanneh and his associates. Thank you for your excellent job.
Sincerely,
A Concerned Employee.
Editor’s Note: While we appreciate your gesture and confidence in us, your concerns are a glaring reflection of widespread corruption and endemic tribalism that is the hallmark of Yahya Jammeh’s government. Our colleague Mathew K. Jallow has written volumes on this malaise but all too often, Gambians invoke the proverbial ostrich pretending that tribalism does not obtain in The Gambia. Yahya Jammeh is the worse perpetrator of tribalism and asking for his indulgence in this matter is tantamount to inviting the same Yahya Jammeh to investigate the death of Deyda Hydara knowing very well that Yahya Jammeh ordered his murder. Yahya Jammeh knows damn well what we mean!!