By: Ismaila Sonko & Bakary Ceesay
Abubacarr Tambadou, Attorney General and Minister of Justice has revealed that government of The Gambia spend D50, 951, 261 on Commission of Inquiry, known as ‘The Janneh Commission’ and this includes, its activities, wages and operational cost.
“This includes all the expensive incurred in the course of their investigations, including but not limited to honorarium paid to three commissioners and 58 staff working at the commission throughout this period, counsel’s fees, fuel, stationery, food, security, rentals etc,” he told members while responding to questions during 5th assembly of first Ordinary Session of the National Assembly in the 2019 Legislative year questions for oral answers on 26th March, 2019.
“We must also take note that in the course of its work, the Commission was able to generate monies from its activities including D67, 894, 170 from the sale of recovered tractors and other items as well as monies in bank accounts hidden and other landed properties discovered by the Commission,” he pointed out.
He further reveals other details about the money generated from the sale of former president’s assets including 138 tractors.
However, the minister said the work of the Janneh Commission should not be measured in monetary terms alone.
“We have shared information generated in the course of tracking and recovery of assets procured through illicit enrichment and we have registered some success in this endeavor,” Minister Tambadou told House members.
He also explained that they intend to recover the entire cost of the Janneh Commission investigations by making those against whom financial adverse findings have been made to bear the cost of recovery proportion to their responsibility.
Tambadou said there are foreign governments that are helping them in tracking the assets of the former ruler.
