Africa-Press – Gambia. A heated exchange erupted at the ongoing Local Government Commission of Inquiry (LGCI) on Tuesday as the lead counsel clashed with Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) Mayor over some issues.
Mayor Talib Ahmed Bensouda clashed with Lead Counsel Patrick Gomez over the interpretation and presentation of evidence relating to financial approvals within the council.
The confrontation arose after Lead Counsel Gomez referenced documentation indicating that, despite a significant drop in council revenue, payments exceeding D100,000 were being forwarded to the Mayor’s Office for endorsement.
Gomez put it to the witness that the Director of Finance had clearly reported a revenue decline and stated that all major expenditures were now subject to the Mayor’s approval.
However, Mayor Bensouda disputed this claim and described it as a “language problem.” He asserted that such payments might have been suggested by the Finance Director, but not actioned.
“The payment is suggested, but not taken. That’s a major distinction,” the Mayor said.
Lead Counsel Gomez disagreed, stating, “It was never a suggestion; action was indeed taken.”
Mayor Bensouda elaborated that many matters discussed in internal meetings were never implemented due to legal, practical, or policy constraints. He emphasized that, although thresholds for approval may have been proposed, he consistently rejected being involved in council operations.
“In that language where it says things are being forwarded to the Mayor’s Office, it has never happened. If that were the case, there would be my written endorsement. Not verbal,” he said.
The Mayor stressed that while the CEO, Director of Finance, or Director of Planning has the right to consult him, any guidance he offers is purely advisory and only when requested.
In response, Lead Counsel Gomez maintained that multiple former Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of the Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) had testified that they were required to seek the Mayor’s clearance before approving large payments.
The Mayor strongly refuted this assertion.
“I want to categorically put on record that any CEO claiming they needed to seek my clearance is making a false statement. No CEO from 2018 to 2022 was required to seek clearance from my office,” the Mayor declared.
“If they chose to do so, it was of their own volition. I have never received any formal request for financial clearance, and I’ve never endorsed any. I’m committed to the separation of powers. As Mayor, I cannot be both part of the administration and part of the body overseeing that administration. That would be a clear conflict of roles.”
Tensions heightened further when Mayor Bensouda accused the lead counsel of injecting personal opinions into the proceedings.
“With respect, I think you’re answering on my behalf. I would appreciate it if you asked and allowed me to submit the evidence,” Bensouda told Gomez.
Snapping back, the lead counsel retorted, “Mr. Bensouda, you don’t tell me what kind of evidence to give you. I give you the evidence I think I have, in the manner and at the time of my choosing. You don’t tell me that.”
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