Environment Minister's Defamation Suit Against Journalist Continues with Fresh Applications

Environment Minister and Kebba Ansu Manneh

By Fatoumata Jaiteh,

The defamation suit filed by Minister Rohey John Manjang against The Alkamba Times journalist, Kebba Ansu Manneh, continued before the High Court Annex in Banjul on Monday, 23rd June 2026, with both parties filing fresh applications ahead of the substantive hearing.

The plaintiff, Minister Rohey John Manjang, was represented by Counsel Modou M. Drammeh, while Counsel Junkung Jobarteh appeared for the defendant, journalist Kebba Ansu Manneh.

When the matter was called, Counsel Drammeh informed the court that the plaintiff had filed a motion seeking leave to amend the Statement of Claim dated 18 March 2026.

In response, Counsel Jobarteh informed the court that the defence had also filed an Amended Statement of Defence dated 22 June 2026. In addition, the defence filed a motion seeking leave to administer interrogatories to the plaintiff pursuant to Order XX Rule 1 of the High Court Rules. The application requests that the plaintiff answer a series of questions on oath by affidavit before the trial proceeds.

Defence Seeks Answers on Alleged Defamatory Statements

The defamation suit arises from reports published and broadcast by journalist Kebba Ansu Manneh in June 2024 concerning the disposal of confiscated mahogany logs in Kaif, Lower River Region. The reports alleged that proceeds from the sale of the logs were paid into a bank account purportedly linked to Minister Rohey John Manjang, who was serving as Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources at the time.

Among the proposed interrogatories, the defence asks the plaintiff to identify the precise words contained in the publication of 19th June 2024 and the King FM radio interview of 20th June 2024 that she alleges conveyed defamatory meanings. Specifically, the defence requests that the plaintiff identify the words she contends suggest she was corrupt, dishonest, and unfit to hold public office, as pleaded in paragraphs 19 and 26 of her Amended Statement of Claim.

The defence also seeks clarification regarding the disposal of the confiscated logs, as referenced in the Amended Statement of Claim. It asks the plaintiff to identify the buyer she allegedly found for the logs and to state whether that buyer was Lamin Jassey. The plaintiff is further requested to state whether she instructed or authorised the transportation of the confiscated logs to the Governor's Office.

Additionally, the interrogatories seek clarification on the alleged payment of D40,000 into the National Forestry Fund, including whether the payment was made, when it was made, whether an official receipt was issued, and the particulars of the bank account involved.

The defence further seeks information regarding the plaintiff's banking arrangements between 1st January and 30th June 2024. Among the questions, the plaintiff is asked to state whether she held, controlled, or had signing authority over any bank account in The Gambia during that period, including the names of the banks, branches, and account numbers.

The interrogatories also ask whether any sum of D150,000 or D200,000, or any portion of those sums allegedly connected with the felling, sale, or disposal of a mahogany tree at Kaif, was paid into any of those accounts. The defence also seeks to know whether the plaintiff has obtained and examined her bank statements covering that period.

Referring to paragraph 12 of the Statement of Defence and an alleged telephone interview, the defence further requests that the plaintiff clarify whether she has since established whether any such payment was made into her account and what steps she has taken to verify that information.

The defence also seeks clarification regarding a telephone interview allegedly conducted on or about 18 June 2024 through the plaintiff's Permanent Secretary. It asks the plaintiff to confirm whether she declined to respond to the allegations unless the journalist disclosed his sources.

The interrogatories further ask whether the plaintiff made statements attributed to her during that conversation, including:

"May be true? I don't know, maybe it's another Rohey John Manjang."

and

"It's a blue lie. Let them give you the bank details because that will be clear evidence."

In addition, the defence requests that the plaintiff state all the facts she relies upon in support of her allegation that the defendant acted falsely and maliciously in publishing the reports.

The plaintiff is also asked to specify whether she suffered any financial loss as a result of the publications and, if so, to provide full particulars. The defence further requests details of the damages claimed for mental anguish, including the basis upon which those damages have been calculated.

Plaintiff to Respond at Next Sitting

Counsel Modou M. Drammeh acknowledged receipt of both the defence's motion and the proposed interrogatories, informing the court that the documents had only been served on the plaintiff on 22nd June 2026.

"We were only served yesterday, 22nd June 2026," Counsel Drammeh submitted, adding that the plaintiff would file a response on the next adjourned date.

The matter was subsequently adjourned to 29th July 2026 at 9:00 a.m. for further proceedings.