Gambia’s environment minister sues journalist
Banjul, Gambia (PANA) - Gambia Environment Minister, Rohey John Manyang, has filed a D50M lawsuit against journalist Kebba Ansu Manneh of the Gambia-based US-based The Alkamba Times.
The lawsuit document made available to PANA Thursday stated that the civil suit is scheduled for hearing at the High Court in Banjul on 12 November 2024.
The suit followed the publication on 19 June 2024, in The Alkamba Times about the minister’s involvement in shady timber deals. The story was captioned: “Environment Minister, Former LRR Governor Accused of Involvement in Illegal Transactions of Seized Logs”.
The lawyers for the minister wrote to The Alkamba Times to retract the story and apologise to their client or else they would institute a legal action against them.
However, both The Alkamba Times and journalist Kebba Ansu Manneh stood by their publication.
The matter has now taken a new dimension as journalist Manneh received a writ of summons from lawyer Modou Drammeh and Associates to appear before the Banjul High Court.
Manyang is claiming damages for libel and slander as well as seeking from the court to direct Manneh to issue a written apology to her.
She is also seeking an order from the court granting a perpetual injunction, restraining Manneh either through his agents, associates, contact, etc. from making any further defamatory statement against her whether online or in any form or manner whatsoever.
-0- PANA MSS/MA 17Oct2024
