By Alhassan Darboe:
The investigation into a diplomatic passport and visa fraud ring busted at the foreign ministry has expanded to allegedly involve the current Vice president Dr. Isatou Touray, Lawyer Ousainou Darboe and President Adama Barrow and his personal driver.
A credible source close to the investigation revealed: “This is so shocking it drives me crazy. Some people at the top are also part of the scheme. In fact investigations are revealing that the name of the driver to the President is also mentioned among other big names.
Some senior police officers are trying to cover up state house’s involvement in the diplomatic passport fraud ring. These guys collected almost D300.000 for every diplomatic passport. It’s getting bigger and we will bring all the perpetrators to book if there is no interference from the top (president’s office). Another source close to the diplomatic passport scandal alleged: “Both current and former Vice President Lawyer Ousainou Darboe and Dr. Isatou Touray are both allegedly involved in the Diplomatic and foreign delegate fraud ring.
Dr. Isatou Touray issued a diplomatic passport to a girl named after her from Kartong (her husband’s village) and included her in a government delegation to attend an event in New York. Lawyer Darboe, former foreign minister and Vice president is also allegedly involved. He caused the issuance of diplomatic passport to his aide (female) while he was foreign minister. The aide got a visa by adding her name to an official list of government delegation. That’s how she got her visa and now lives in Canada”. Our source concluded.
Saikou Ceesay, the spokesperson for the Foreign ministry confirmed to the medium that two people have already been arrested and investigations are still on going. His words: "The Ministry can confirm that three officials were allegedly involved. Two of the suspects were arrested on Friday and are currently helping the police in their investigations. One of the suspects left the country about fortnight ago. The Ministry cannot make any further statement until investigations are completed".