Imam Ba Kawsu Fofana’s defiance against State House has always been a big headache for President Jammeh.

He made series of audio records in the past condemning the Gambian leader and his heavy handed tactics towards his critics. Most of the tapes were widely circulated online.

The Supreme Islamic Council (SIC), in their efforts to please Jammeh, ordered for the withdrawal of all the audio tapes on sale in the market. Ba Kawsu was also briefly banned from giving sermons in mosques.

As if that wasn’t enough, he was later arrested in 2012 by men in plainclothes. In an interview with a local newspaper, the outspoken imam revealed that he was beaten with sticks and heavy pipes during his nine-day detention at the NIA headquarters in Banjul.

Many described him as one of President Jammeh’s biggest nightmares since he came to power in 1994 through a military coup.

While the APRC leader insisted he wouldn’t exchange barbs with Ba Kawsu, he was seemingly worried about the imam’s increasing popularity among young Gambians.

He invited him to a televised meeting at his office. Attended by members of the SIC, Jammeh’s intention was to smoothen things between him and Ba Kawsu.

The imam later decided to leave the country to seek refuge in Senegal until last year when he returned following a ‘presidential pardon.

He now lives a quiet life in Sanchaba Sulay Jobe. According to sources reaching What’s On-Gambia, he might be selected to be part of President-elect Barrow’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission.