“Even D25,000 Won’t Buy Me” — Police Prosecutor Rejects Alleged Bribe

Written by: Dawda Baldeh

A police prosecution officer has rejected allegations of wrongdoing over the detention of a Mercedes-Benz linked to a suspected goat theft case, saying he instead refused an alleged D10,000 bribe offered to secure the vehicle’s release.

Chief Inspector Kemo Y. Manneh, who handled the case after it was forwarded for prosecution, said the accused persons approached him seeking his intervention to release the vehicle.

According to Manneh, the request later turned into an alleged cash offer.

“They offered me, they said, ‘OK, we can give you D10,000.’ I was very angry, very, very angry when they told me about the money,” Manneh said.

He said he immediately rejected the alleged offer and made it clear that even a larger amount would not change his position.

“I told the brother categorically, ‘Look, don’t play with me. Even if you offer me D25,000, I am not going to release this vehicle. What do you take me for?’” he said.

Manneh said the vehicle was allegedly used in connection with an offence and that he had no authority to release it outside the judicial process.

“I told them, ‘Look, this vehicle is used in the commission of an offence. I don’t have any powers to release this vehicle. I am sorry, I am going to put this matter before the court,’” he said.

The dispute became public after one of the suspects reportedly made allegations against Manneh in a Facebook post over his handling of the case.

In the post, Musa Sey described the officer as “arrogant, corrupt, and disrespectful” and accused him of abusing his authority. He also questioned why the vehicle had not been released after its owner was granted bail.

“This officer is corrupt. We offered him D10,000 to release the vehicle, but he rejected it. He said even if we offer him D25,000, he must take the matter to the court,” the suspect wrote.

Manneh strongly denied any suggestion that he sought or accepted money from the accused.

“To be candid, I don’t do that. I have been prosecuting for so long. Why would I take D10,000 from someone?” he said.

A police report dated August 24th, 2026, from Old Yundum Police Station details the circumstances that led to the arrest of three suspects and the seizure of the Mercedes-Benz and a she-goat.

According to the report, at about 12:37 a.m. on August 13th, scouts camping at Old Yundum Upper Basic School became suspicious after seeing a Mercedes-Benz parked near the school fence for an extended period.

The report alleges that Musa Fofana, 18, was seen carrying a she-goat towards the vehicle, while Addy Saine, 26, allegedly opened the boot for the animal to be placed inside.

The scouts then mobilised and apprehended the suspects before taking them, the vehicle and the goat to Old Yundum Police Station.

Police identified the third suspect as Modou Sey, 24, the alleged driver of the Mercedes-Benz, registration number WCR 2975 C.

The suspects reportedly denied stealing the goat. They claimed that a man known as “Tupac,” who remains at large, brought the animal and that they did not know where he had obtained it.

Investigators nevertheless alleged that the three suspects played different roles in transporting the goat.

The police file acknowledges that ownership of the animal had not yet been established, but investigators said the circumstances could amount to possession of suspected stolen property.

Police recommended that the suspects face two charges: possession of suspected stolen property under Section 276 of the Criminal Offences Act 2025 and conspiracy under Section 341.

Manneh said the allegations and the circumstances surrounding the vehicle should ultimately be determined by the court.

“They were caught red-handed,” he said. “They offered me money. To be candid, they offered me D10,000. I told them categorically, I will not. Even if you offer me D25,000, I’m not going to do it. I’ll put the matter before the court.”