Dr Bamba Banja, former permanent secretary, ministry of fisheries
By Buba Gagigo
In a display of clemency, Gambian President Adama Barrow pardoned 37 prisoners on January 19th, 2024, including Dr. Bamba Banja, a former permanent secretary at the Ministry of Fisheries. Dr. Banja had been convicted of corruption and was serving a two-year sentence at the Mile-2 prison.
The full list of pardoned individuals includes:
- Pap Ibrahim Khaillulaye Thiam
- Nfamara Saidykhan
- Alpha Jallow
- Yankuba Nile
- Yaya Mballow
- Ousman Baldeh
- Momodou Camara
- Bamba Banja (former Fisheries Permanent Secretary)
- Ousman Jallaw
- Musa Bajaha
- Sarjo Camara
- Hamadi Kandeh
- Sako Njie
- Alieu Bittaye
- Balla Bah
- Baduwa Konteh
- Demba Kandeh
- Momodou Bah (alias Momodou Sanneh)
- Saiba Sillah
- Sering Sarr
- Modou Saho
- Abdourahman Jallow
- Ebrima Jallow
- Kebba Bah
- Mamadou Camara
- Salieu Bah
- Pa Modou NGum
- Muhammed Conteh
- Abdoulie Jallow
- Samba Dibba
- Demba Camara
- Jogoban Jallow
- Alagie Modou Jallow
- Njoku Faye
- Kaddijatou Ceesay
- Adama Bah
- Anna Saneh
Dr. Banja’s case garnered significant attention, as he was a high-ranking government official convicted of corruption. He was handed a two-year mandatory jail term and a D1.1m fine after he was found guilty of corruption.