Africa-Press – Gambia. The National Assembly’s Joint Committee on Finance and Public Accounts, alongside the Public Enterprise Committee, has recommended the censure of two government ministers in connection with the investigation into the $30 million Russian oil scandal.
In a report presented to the Assembly plenary on Thursday, the committee called for formal censure proceedings against Abdoulie Sanyang, Minister of Interior and former Inspector General of Police (IGP), as well as Abdoulie Jobe, the Minister of Tourism and Culture and former Minister of Petroleum.
The committee alleges that Minister Sanyang played a key role in prematurely halting the police investigation linked to the Financial Intelligence Unit’s (FIU) report, and failed to maintain proper command authority during the inquiry. The report highlights serious procedural violations, inconsistencies, and evidence of interference during the investigation, which in turn revealed weaknesses in criminal investigations, institutional accountability, and oversight within the police force.
Regarding Minister Jobe, the committee suggests that he may have committed misconduct in office by interfering with the police investigation. It recommends that the National Assembly initiate censure proceedings against him as well. The report also calls on the Cabinet to urgently review all related petroleum policy documents.
Specifically, the committee’s report states: “The National Assembly initiates censure proceedings against the Former Minister of Petroleum, Abdoulie Jobe, who may have committed misconduct in office in his role in the purported policy (MOPE/GOGP/PP/002) as referenced in the letter dated 30th October 2023 and interference into the police investigations,” The Report Said.
The report further recommended that the National Assembly initiate proceedings to censure the Minister of Interior, Hon. Abdoulie Sanyang (former Inspector General of Police), for his alleged role in prematurely halting the police investigation into the Financial Intelligence Unit’s findings. Additionally, it cited his failure to maintain proper command authority over the handling of the investigation.
“The National Assembly should initiate proceedings to censure the Minister for Interior, Hon. Abdoulie Sanyang (former Inspector General of the Police), for his alleged role in prematurely halting the police investigation in the report of the Financial Intelligence Unit, and for failing to keep proper command authority in the handling of the investigation,” The Report reads.
In addition to recommending censure, the committee urged the Attorney General and Minister of Justice to establish an independent special panel to further investigate the police procedures and conduct during the probe. The report calls for an investigation into the actions of Officer Commanding Mr. Pa Alieu Jawara and a broader review of the investigation process, with findings to be submitted to the National Assembly within 90 days.
“The Attorney General and Minister for Justice constitute a special panel to further investigate the conduct of Officer Commanding, Mr. Pa Alieu Jawara, in the investigation into the report of the Financial Intelligence Unit
“The Attorney General and Minister for Justice constitute a special panel independent to investigate the procedure adopted by the police in the investigation of the STR report against Mr. Aurimas and report to the National Assembly within 90 days of the tabling of this report,” the Report stated
The committee also recommended that all petroleum-related policies be reviewed, formalized, and gazetted by Cabinet prior to implementation. “All purported petroleum policies be reviewed by Cabinet, formalized, and gazetted henceforth before implementation,” The report said.
It further proposed that importation plans be restored as a prerequisite for ullage allocations and that ullage applications undergo competitive review processes.
“That all ullage applications should be subject to competitive review. Any Ministry official found complicit in supporting exclusivity deals must be subjected to administrative disciplinary measures,” The committee report reads.
Lastly, the report emphasized that any ministry officials found to be complicit in supporting exclusive deals should face appropriate administrative disciplinary actions. It warned that failure to comply with these recommendations could result in sanctions, including suspension, dismissal, or criminal prosecution where applicable.
“Failure to comply with these resolutions shall attract consequences, including administrative sanctions, suspension, dismissal, or criminal prosecution as applicable,” The Report Said.
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