By Sarjo Brito
Citizens’ Alliance leader Dr Ismaila Ceesay has finally broken his silence following welfare fraud allegations made against him.
The politician has been accused of allegedly subletting his alleged council allocated apartment to an illegal Gambian migrant in the United Kingdom. Now clearing the air, Dr Ceesay describes the allegations as untrue and unfounded.
“I do not have a council flat. A private-let flat is what I have. It is mine and I have the right to let it, which is not even the case here. There is someone I am lodging there, but to make things clear, it is not a council flat. The address of the flat in question has been shared online and anyone who wants to follow the story can contact the council and ask if the flat is a council owned,” Dr Ceesay said in a video posted to his official Facebook page on Monday.
While putting the allegations to rest, Dr Ceesay recounts his experience living in the UK and the hurdles he had to go through before settling.
‘’I struggled in Europe before settling. There were times I had nowhere to sleep. I will join the night bus until the driver kicks me out and I will hop on another one until sunrise. Then I will go to a McDonald’s to wash my face and carry on with my day. So, if I see someone who needs the help, someone who needs a place to stay, and I have a flat I know I can give lawfully, I will do it. If I have the chance to help a Gambian tomorrow, I will do it again and again. No regrets whatsoever. The house is mine, private-let and furnished by me. The lodger status of the occupant was also OK’d by the landlord,” he said.
The politician said he is not scared of accountability because he knew exactly what he was getting into when he chose this path. Whilst he appreciates being scrutinized and held liable for his actions, Ceesay said it must be done in a mature and professional manner.
These allegations are just occupational hazard, but he will not be distracted as his eyes are fixed on the prize, he added.
