(JollofNews) – As if being charged with 16 counts of economic crime is not bad enough, Pa Malick Ceesay, National Assembly Member for Lower Saloum constituency, has been expelled from the governing APRC party of President Yahya Jammeh.
Mr Ceesay, who represented the Lower Saloum constituency since 2012, was expelled on Monday by President Yahya Jammeh, who is also the secretary general of the party.
No reasons were given for his expulsion but it is believed to be in connection with his ongoing criminal case at the high court.
Prosecutors said while working as coordinator of the National Enterprise Development Initiative (NEDI), Mr Ceesay conspired with others to steal thousands of Dalasis belonging to the Government of the Gambia. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Under Gambian law, law maker who are elected on a party ticket are answerable to their party leader and automatically loses their seat when the whip is withdrawn by their party leader. President Jammeh has used the law to expelled more than six law makers of his party in recent years.
The country’s Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) is expected to announce the date for a bye-election soon.
