By: Fatou Krubally
Former KMC cashier Saikou Sabally found himself in hot water during a Local Government Commission of Inquiry as he was questioned about unauthorized withdrawals totaling a staggering D167,645,914.87 from May 2018 to January 2023.
Shockingly, only D27,550,319 had supporting vouchers, leaving a gaping discrepancy of D140,095,595.87 in withdrawals that lacked proper documentation.
In his testimony, Sabally revealed that he did not keep a cash book during his time as a paying-out cashier and solely focused on handling cash transactions.
He admitted that it was his responsibility to maintain records of the vouchers but claimed that former deputy director of finance, Sheriff Njie, employed individuals to assist in handling the vouchers.
Sabally stated, “I am only focused on the cash. Isatou Ndowwas responsible for the vouchers. When I am done, she takes everything away to the finance unit.”
One alarming incident highlighted during the inquiry was when Sheriff Njie requested and received D474,060 from Sabally, claiming that the council urgently needed cash.
Sabally also disclosed giving an additional D98,030 to Njie for the same reason. Despite following Njie’s instructions, Sabally maintained that he paid the money through the receiving cashiers and provided receipts to the Commission as proof.
The lack of proper documentation and oversight raised serious concerns about the financial management practices within the KMC during Sabally’s tenure. The Commission continued to probe into the discrepancies and the potential implications of the unauthorized withdrawals.
As the inquiry delved deeper into the mysterious disappearance of funds under Sabally’s watch, questions arose about accountability and transparency within the local government entity. The revelations of missing vouchers and unaccounted withdrawals painted a troubling picture of financial mismanagement that demanded further investigation and scrutiny.
As the sittings continued, the Commission aimed to uncover the truth behind the unauthorized withdrawals and hold those responsible accountable for their actions. The implications of the missing funds reverberated throughout the community, sparking discussions about the need for stricter financial controls and oversight to prevent similar incidents in the future.
