By Landing Ceesay-kerr fatou.com
In a detailed 13-paragraph affidavit backing his lawsuit against The Voice Newspaper and its Editor-in-Chief, Musa Sheriff, President Adama Barrow alleges that the publication is attempting to jeopardize his chances for re-election in the upcoming 2026 Presidential Election.
The civil lawsuit was initiated by President Barrow in response to an article published on September 23, which claimed he had chosen Muhammed Jah, CEO of Qcell and Chairman of Q-Group, as the National People’s Party (NPP) candidate for the forthcoming election. This article suggested that Barrow had endorsed Jah as his successor—an assertion that both Barrow and his legal counsel, led by Ida Drammeh, categorically deny. They initially sought a retraction and an apology from the newspaper, warning of potential legal action if their demands were ignored. However, The Voice failed to respond, allowing the article to remain online.
On October 9, 2024, President Barrow officially filed a lawsuit against the newspaper and Sheriff at The Gambia’s High Court, seeking aggravated damages, an injunction to halt further publication of the claims, and any other relief the court may consider appropriate.
The case was brought before Justice Kwaben of the KanifingHigh Court on October 25, 2024. Counsel Ida Drammeh represented President Barrow, while Counsel Lamin S. Camara defended The Voice and Sheriff. Camara informed the court that he received the legal documents from Barrow’s team on October 16, 2024, and will respond to the allegations by November 15.
Barrow’s lawsuit is bolstered by affidavits from himself, as Secretary General and Leader of the NPP, as well as Seedy Njie, Deputy Spokesperson of the party. In his affidavit, Barrow emphasized that the article was designed to undermine his reputation and credibility, thus negatively impacting his prospects in the 2026 Presidential Election.
“This article was written despite it not being true that I am working on an exit plan as stated in the said article. It is also not true that I have ever at any time chosen Muhammed Jah as my successor. It is also not correct that I can appoint anyone as President of The Gambia, since this is a position that can only be determined following national elections. The said words in their natural and ordinary meaning, the Defendants (Musa Sheriff & Voice Newspaper) meant and were understood to mean that: I am no longer interested in being President of The Gambia; I do not intend to be flag bearer of the NPP in the 2026 elections; The NPP, cannot rely on what I tell them, even though I am the Secretary General of the NPP;” Barrow stated in his affidavit.
He further expressed that the article had caused him significant harm, leading to public scandal and damaging his reputation.
“I am not a man of my word and cannot be trusted; I had chosen Muhammed Jah as my successor; I had handed over my position as the flag bearer of the NPP party to Muhammed Jah and without consulting the NPP; There was a ceremony where this handover took place; The NPP are unhappy with my said decision; I am guilty of choosing Muhammed Jah as my successor without any consultation with or the knowledge of the NPP; The NPP was not a party that operates in a manner such that the public and the party faithful can have confidence in either me or the NPP,” President Barrow said in his affidavit of statement. The Gambian President stated that his credit and reputation have been damaged due to an article published by the Voice Newspaper, which has led to public scandal, odium, and contempt.
President Barrow claimed that the article has sparked considerable discussion both nationally and internationally, despite its contents being “untrue”
He disclosed that he instructed his legal team, Ida D. Drameh& Associates, to send a letter to Musa Sheriff demanding an apology for the publication. However, no apology was offered by the defendants, despite being given the chance to do so.
Furthermore, President Barrow emphasized that Musa Sheriff and the Voice Newspaper have since published additional articles indicating their unwillingness to apologize or assure that they will refrain from circulating similar “untrue stories” in the future.
“I believe that the Defendants (Musa Sheriff and The Voice Newspaper) published the said words out of malevolence or spite towards me, in order amongst other things to affect my standing with the NPP and to negatively affect my chances of re-election in the next elections and by so doing boost the chances of other persons in the 2026 elections.
“The Defendants (Musa Sheriff and Voice Newspaper) published the said words to increase the circulation of the said newspaper and, to make a profit from the sale of the said newspaper and advertising space therein, to damage me and my standing as a politician and party member and reduce and demoralize the members of the NPP,” President Barrow alleged.
President Barrow expressed concern that, due to Musa Sheriff and The Voice Newspaper’s refusal to apologize, the defendants pose a threat and are likely to continue making similar publications against him.
“Thereafter, the Defendants (Musa Sheriff and Voice Newspaper) have published other articles which have shown that they do not intend to apologise and have not shown that they will not repeat similar publications, which are not based on facts and which injure the reputation and political standing of the Plaintiff. The Defendants circulated the letter written by my legal practitioners to other newspapers and to others in The Gambia because they have no intention of apologizing,” President Barrow said in his 13-paragraph affidavit of statement.
Seedy SK Njie claimed in his affidavit that he was misquoted in the article. He explained that on September 22, Musa Sheriff reached out to him with information regarding the alleged succession plans. Njie denied these claims and made it clear that he was not giving an interview. Nevertheless, the article was published despite his objections.