A former Gambian newspaper editor has condemned footballer Musa Barrow’s refusal to pay customs duty at the Banjul International Airport.
Alagi Yorro Jallow, managing editor of the now defunct newspaper, The Independent, said the footballer’s behaviour was not just a personal lapse but a public insult to every Gambian who follows the rules.
In a post on his Facebook page, the veteran journalist wrote: “In a nation striving to uphold the rule of law, the recent incident involving Musa Barrow at Banjul International Airport is more than a customs dispute—it’s a test of our democratic maturity. When a celebrity, adored by many and representing Gambia on the global stage, refuses to pay customs duties and defends it with indignation over being treated like everyone else, it sends a troubling message: that status should override law.
Barrow’s claim that he overheard a female customs officer say, “I don’t care who he is or if he holds a diplomatic passport, everyone will be treated the same,” should have been a moment of pride. It reflects the very ethos of a functioning democracy—equal treatment under the law. Instead, it became his justification for non-compliance.
Let us be clear: celebrities are not above the law. They are not exempt from civic duty. In fact, their visibility demands greater responsibility. When Musa Barrow refused to engage directly with customs officials, sent his brother to negotiate, and ultimately left without paying the reduced duty of D10,000, it wasn’t just a personal lapse—it was a public insult to every Gambian who follows the rules.
This is not about sweets in a suitcase or football boots. It’s about principle. It’s about the integrity of our institutions and the example we expect from those who carry our flag abroad. Barrow’s actions, and his defense of them, undermine the very fabric of accountability that democracy depends on.
To the Gambia Revenue Authority and the officers who stood firm: your professionalism deserves commendation. To Musa Barrow: your fame is not a shield. It is a spotlight. And under that spotlight, Gambians expect dignity, humility, and respect for the law.
In a democracy that demands equal treatment under the law, celebrities must be ambassadors of humility—not architects of exception. Musa Barrow’s indignation at being held accountable is not an act of dignity—it’s a denial of civic duty. His fame may dazzle, but it does not excuse. In fact, it obligates. Because when those in the spotlight bend the rules, the message to the public is clear: status is privilege, not service. And that message has no place in a republic forged by sacrifice. Gambia deserves icons who model integrity, not immunity.”
