State investigations followed Malagen’s investigative story, published last week, about a series of payments of bribery that Dr Banja allegedly received from Golden Lead, a scandal-ridden Chinese-owned fish meal company.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Fisheries, Dr Bamba Banja, has been sent on administrative leave effective Monday October 12, the Minister for Information Ebrima Sillah has confirmed to Malagen.

The move followed Malagen’s investigative story, published last week, about a series of  payments of bribery that Dr Banja allegedly received from Golden Lead, a scandal-ridden Chinese-owned fish meal company.

“Yes, I can confirm that Dr Banja is on leave and I am in no way affected by his suspension,” Fisheries Minister James Gomez told Malagen this afternoon.

It is not clear how long Dr Banja’s leave will last, but both Minister Gomez and Minister Sillah have confirmed that the state is investigating the matter.

Editor’s Note

The police and ombudsman have contacted Malagen and we respectively declined their request to lead them to our sources. We have a covenant with our sources that we will under no circumstance reveal their identity. Our position is in line with The Gambia Press Union Code of Conduct for media practitioners. Besides, confidentiality of journalistic source is a press freedom rights protected under international law.