Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – The Voice newspaper’s Editor Musa Sheriff and reporter Momodou Justice Darboe have been summoned by police to the Police Headquarters in Banjul. While the reasons for the summons remain officially undisclosed, sources within the newspaper speculate it is related to a controversial article published last Monday claiming that President Adama Barrow is planning to step down and had chosen businessman Muhammed Jah as his successor for the 2026 elections.

The article, which cited officials from Barrow’s National People’s Party (NPP) and other unnamed sources, suggested that Barrow’s exit strategy was already in progress—reportedly causing unease among senior party members.

Following the publication, President Barrow, through his lawyer Ida Drammeh, demanded a full retraction and an apology from The Voice, insisting the article was defamatory and harmful to the president’s reputation. Drammeh’s letter, dated Wednesday, gave the newspaper 24 hours to comply, with the warning of impending legal action if the demands were not met.

However, The Voice has stood firm. Momodou Justice Darboe, the reporter behind the article, refused to retract the claims or apologize, while Managing Director Musa Sheriff maintained that the paper adhered to journalistic standards in publishing the story.

The police’s involvement in what is ostensibly a civil matter has sparked widespread speculation. Legal experts suggest the dispute could end up in court, with Barrow’s legal team reportedly exploring further options against The Voice for their defiance.

The public is watching closely, as this high-stakes clash between the press and the president unfolds, raising questions about press freedom and political influence in The Gambia.