(JollofNews) – A prominent Gambian businessman and associate of former President Yahya Jammeh has rubbished reports of his alleged arrest by Senegalese authorities.
Amadou Samba said the reports first published by a Gambian blogger and later reproduced in some Gambian online newspapers are utter false.
He also denied reports that he had a secret meeting with former President Yahya Jammeh’s wife in Dakar
“News of my dining with the former Gambian First Lady, Zeineb Jammeh, in a lush Dakar restaurant and reports of my subsequent arrest, detention and questioning by Senegalese police came as a big shock but news of the malicious story didn’t surprise me at all as am aware of people continuously out to malign and tarnish my image,” the respected businessman said in a telephone interview with Ebrima Sankareh of The Gambia Echo.
“I am a free man. No police or security officer has ever called, questioned, arrested or interrogated me and I have nothing to hide.”
Meanwhile, an anonymous senior Senegalese intelligence officer has described the alleged presence of the former Gambian First Lady in Dakar as absurd.
The officer said there is no way Madame Jammeh could have slipped into his country without being noticed by the authorities.
“As a former First Lady, there are certain protocols accorded and Zeineb Jammeh could not have entered Senegalese territory without the prior knowledge of the authorities,” the officer told Mr Sankareh.
“I can assure you sir, that Madame Jammeh is not in Dakar, and according to our records, she has not been here in two years.”
The officer described reports of Madame Jammeh visiting Dakar and having meetings with Amadou Samba as ‘probably a fiction’.
He expressed doubts whether a sane Madame Jammeh would venture into Dakar under the prevailing security and political circumstances surrounding her husband’s exile in Equatorial Guinea.
I have no reason to doubt Amadou’s representation of events concerning him, in the absence of evidence. But truth be spoken, the numerous allegations leveled against Amadou have effectively been brought upon him by none other than Amadou himself. He’s known to engage with the despot – Jammeh – and had business dealings with him. We all recall Jammeh’s last minute ditch not to leave the State House unless Amadou came to discuss some business matters. That’s instructive enough and indeed reason enough for much speculation and it did not matter that Amadou denied having any business to discuss with Jammeh. His links to the oil business in The Gambia with a shady character like Bazzy did not help him either. While I empathize with the man, the fact is that it is his sheer greed and association with known shady characters that have put him on the defensive. My advice to him is simple: take a step back, dissociate yourself from Government and Government business, if called before any commission of inquiry please cooperate fully and truthfully, publicly outline the nature of your relationship with Jammeh and whether or not you’ve engaged in activities that you now, on reflection, consider to be borne out of poor judgment, and stop associating with characters that are known or have plans merely to milk the country’s resources through shady business deals. The Gambia is your country just as much as it is ours, but we all have a responsibility to be dutiful and honest to the country by not making illegitimate earnings on its back or taking undue advantage. When we behave otherwise, we trample on the rights and legitimate expectations of the majority of underprivileged Gambians who are right now just living by the day, not assured of how to deal with the next day. And that is not and cannot be a good feeling!!!
Let those who blog be blogging facts and never fiction. For the truth shall set us free and the lies shall destroy us put us eternal bondage. a
I have a lot of empathy with Mr Ceesay. I think his thoughts mirror the sensible side of public opinion. But the sad part of some public opinion paints suspicion and unknowledgeable, accusation on the majority of politicians and world renowned Gambian business people. You see it goes like this>>> everyday we read about abject poverty and the need to address this issue from within. Not to rely on International aid or loans or generosity from NGO’s and medical support from thousands of miles away. Though such generosity remains a grateful lifeline in times of greatest need. Gambians embrace this with thanks. But at the same time, it remains an anathema to the true spirit of Gambia enterprise, independence and progress to self reliance and true economic freedom..
A businessman deals in profit and loss and lives by small margins. A politician questions the right and wrong and survives on being right more than wrong. A sometimes perilous journey that survives on majority support. Gambia must progress with a different mindset to the general consensus that all Business people and Politicians are crooked. It must learn to embrace enterprise so that poverty is upgraded to “manageable”. Government can not survive without taxation. It is the businessman who provides that taxation, through his risk management, daring, and wealth creation, and competitive idea’s. One should not scoff at the most successful, just because they are successful. Governments come and go, but sometimes they leave behind something worthwhile. Let us embrace the successful, and support the journey to prosperity. Or is it the case that Gambians are so used to poverty and poor government, that you feel the need to leave everything in the hands of God and not in the hands of the people ? There is a saying that says” God looks after those who look after themselves”. Let Gambia unleash the spirit of enterprise.
Folks, I urge every sober and well meaning Gambian to be wary of and steer clear of Michael Scales!
This is a breed of European that has little to his credit and will cow tow to any seemingly wealthy African in the hope of quietly getting crumbs off of the table. We have seen the likes of him criss-cross Africa on a sojourn aimed at milking vulnerable Africans for their own ends. They belong nowhere and tend to speak with a bifurcated tongue!
This is the last time that I will ever mention Michael Scales on this forum but that does mean the end of efforts aimed at exposing shady characters that many a Gambian will pass for the Angaleh Toubabo as we know it! Good luck with wooing your targets! Time will tell in this case.
Corrigendum to read:
That does NOT mean the end of efforts aimed at exposing shady characters that many a Gambian will pass for the Angaleh Toubabo as we know it!
I can safely say without any shadow of doubt or question that I found Mr Amadou Samba, Kind, Courteous and Considerate in my dealings with him>>he was everything he promised. I can also say without reservation, that he doesn’t suffer fools or imposters gladly. I am also glad, that Senegalese officials have supported his position, without reservation and clarity. Yes Mr Musa Sanneh>>let the truth set us free ! The enemy lies within.