The Government of The Gambia has officially filed an indictment against three senior officials from the Ministry of Health and Health Promotion and Development Organization (HePDO). The individuals charged are Mr. Muhammadou Lamin Jaiteh, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health; Mr. Balla Kandeh, Programme Manager of the Malaria Control Programme; and Mr. Omar Malleh Ceesay, Executive Director of HePDO.

About D10 million of Global Fund against Malaria was discovered to have been unaccounted for following an internal audit report in which it’s believed the said money has been spent without compliance with standard procedures.

A press release announcing the indictment of the three senior Health officials states that “The charges brought against these individuals include a wide range of offenses, including official corruption, economic crimes, theft, forgery, and conspiracy, all of which are connected to the utilization of the 2018 Global Funds grant allocated to the Ministry of Health of The Gambia.”

The indictment serves as a significant step in the fight against corruption and the pursuit of justice and accountability within the public sector, particularly in relation to the proper and transparent utilization of public funds.

In May, this year, the government of The Gambia agreed to pay the missing money in four installments starting 15 March 2023, according to a letter signed by The Gambia’s Finance Minister Seedy K.M. Keita.

Meanwhile the Attorney General’s Chambers and the Ministry of Justice, assisted by the Gambia Police Force, conducted a thorough investigation into the allegations, ensuring that due process and the principles of justice were upheld throughout the process.

The upcoming legal proceedings will provide an opportunity for all parties involved to present their cases, and the accused individuals will be accorded their full legal rights and entitlements. The government reaffirms its commitment to ensuring a fair, transparent, and impartial legal process.