Over the past few days, there have been various reports in the online media regarding the alleged harassment of Gambia’s international footballer Musa Barrow, at Banjul International Airport who also plays as a forward for Saudi Pro League club Al-Taawoun.
JollofNews has made contact with eyewitnesses, security and Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) officials who were on duty on the date and time of the incident and obtained a true account of the incident.
Contrary to reports, the footballer was never harassed by the officials of the GRA when he arrived at the Banjul International Airport. The footballer tried to use his status to bully the officers and avoid paying Customs duties on items that he was bringing into the country.
According to our sources that have shown us security footage of the airport covering the footballer’s arrival and exit from the airport, there was minimal interaction between him and the GRA officials.
According to security officials at the airport, Barrow was among hundreds of passengers that arrived at the Banjul International Airport sometime last week with their suitcases. In line with security measures across the globe, his suitcases together with that of the other passengers were sent off for security screening.
“During the screening, all suitcases suspected to contain items that were of interest to the Customs and security agents were marked and isolated for further inspections,” sources said.
“Musa Barrow’s suitcases happened to be amongst the suitcases that were flagged up and sent to the Customs office for further inspections. In line with Customs and Airport Security rules, the owners of the suitcases including Musa Barrow were informed and asked to go into the Inspection office and witness the opening and inspection of their suitcases by the GRA officials.
“Travellers can bring items into the Gambia for free but they have to be under a certain threshold. Any traveller with items above the threshold are required to pay Customs duties and are issued with a receipt after completing the payment. The only people that are exempted from paying Customs duties on goods are those with valid waiver/exemption certificates that are issued by the Ministry of Finance.”
Our sources further stated: “While the other passengers went into the inspection office and had their suitcases inspected and paid the required duties, Musa Barrow refused to go and instead sent his brother who was not the owner of the suitcases. The GRA officers politely told the brother that they cannot open and inspect the suitcases without the presence of the owner in the interest of fairness and transparency. After several back and forth discussions between the officers and the brother, who was acting as the go-between, the officers agreed to open and inspect the suitcases in the presence of the brother.
“During the inspection, the officers identified some items that are due Customs duties and issued him with a D15,000 levy that was reduced to D10,000. The brother was advised to go and make the payment at the pay section where he would be issued with a receipt on payment. The brother went off to speak to Musa Barrow and later returned to inform the officers that Musa said he had no money to pay for the levy. He told them that Musa said he was not also paying on the grounds that he had seen some passengers with bigger suitcases leave the airport without paying Customs duties. He was reminded that Customs duties do not apply to the weight or size of the suitcases but the content. Despite the courtesy of the officers, Musa refused to pay and continued standing outside the airport surrounded by his minions.
“After about 10 minutes, Musa Barrow decided to go to the Inspection office and speak to the officers. During the discussion, the officers reminded the player that travellers into the country with items beyond the permitted threshold are subject to pay Customs duties. They also informed him that the only people exempted from paying Customs duties are those holding valid exemption/ waivers certificates issued by the Ministry of Finance. The player was advised to register with the Ministry for a waiver to prevent similar incidents in future. He however bluntly told the officers that his stay in Gambia is only for a short period of time and he does not have the time to go from one government office to the other to apply for a waiver. Following the discussion, the officers decided to use their discretion and waived the duties on this occasion.
“The whole encounter lasted for less than 20 minutes. Musa was never detained or harassed. He was free to go in and out of the airport at his will. His only face to face encounter with the Customs officers was when he went to the office to discuss the payment. Any delay on him leaving the airport was down to his refusal to go and witness the opening and inspection of his luggage and to pay the customs duty.
“This unfortunate incident was caused by Musa Barrow who should have known better that all international footballers across the world pay their fair share of tax and Customs duties where the rules required. The law is the law and no one’s status should exempt them from doing the right thing. The money generated from the Custom duties does not go to the pockets of GRA officials. It goes to the Gambia Government and is used to provide services including roads, schools and hospitals for Gambians and other residents in the country.”
