Former Interior Minister Mai Ahmad Fatty has denied receiving bribe in an apparent response to widespread speculations that his sacking may have to do with an alleged D15M bribery.
Online news site Kairo News carried a widely circulated report alleging that Mr Fatty received a bribe from Semlex, one of the company’s interested in acquiring or continuing the Gambia biometric ID card contract.
However, reacting to this news on Facebook yesterday, Mr Fatty wrote:
“I vehemently deny receiving any bribes from Semelex. The allegations are concocted and contain no fiber of truth. The alleged meeting and settings were all lies, with no foundation and I challenge them to prove me wrong. It is an orchestrated smear campaign designed to ruin my reputation. I am ready and willing to subject myself to the most expansive thorough independent investigation ever in the history of The Gambia on this matter. I am confident that I am innocent.”
He added: “I will remain loyal to The Gambia with pride, confident in the knowledge that I did nothing to betray my Oath of Office such as personal involvement in corruption, or bribery.”
Mr Fatty also went on to say that the law grants President Barrow the authority to hire and fire a minister and a cabinet minister serves at the President’s pleasure and all Gambians should respect that right of the president. “I respect that right of his and without an iota of bitterness. The call to serve is an honour and I am thankful for the opportunity given me. I will never stop serving The Gambia and her citizens. The Gambia is bigger than one individual, and I want you all to support the on-going development efforts. Let us stay focused, stand together as one people, shun divisive propensity and remain true to our allegiance to our Republic,” Fatty said.
While wishing the Coalition government success, Mr Fatty said at this sensitive period, confrontation among the coalition leaders will not help the national cause. “I resist the invitation to the contrary for the good of Mother Gambia. We cannot fail and we will never fail. The Gambia shall be a beacon of hope and prosperity in Africa. There is no other choice. Together we shall build a strong Nation. God Bless you all,” he concluded.
