Africa-Press – Gambia. The former Registrar of Companies, Mr. Alieu Jallow, has admitted to failing to disclose critical details in a report submitted to the Attorney General regarding the sale of assets seized from former President Yahya Jammeh, raising concerns over transparency and oversight.
Appearing Thursday before the National Assembly’s Special Select Committee on the Sale and Disposal of Assets Identified by the Janneh Commission, Mr. Jallow confirmed he was physically present during the sale of livestock at the Farafenni farm but did not mention this in his official report.
“I was there… I don’t have to tell him,” Mr. Jallow said under questioning from committee counsel, explaining that he did not find it necessary to include his presence in the report.
The Committee also questioned Mr. Jallow’s decision to engage with Mr. Amadou Cora, a private individual who reportedly assisted during the sales despite not being officially appointed. Mr. Jallow acknowledged reaching out to Mr. Cora to offer reassurance following public criticism, but said he did not extend the same gesture to officials who had formal oversight of the sales.
“I am a considerate person,” he said. “If someone helps me and I feel their name is being misrepresented, I feel it is right to calm them down.”
Mr. Jallow further admitted that he signed off on the official sales report without verifying the accuracy of the figures, relying instead on the integrity of those who compiled the data. He later acknowledged discovering discrepancies in the report after concerns were raised on social media.
“I trusted the person who prepared it,” he said. “It was only after people started talking about it online that I looked at the figures and realized there were mistakes.”
The discrepancies include inconsistencies in livestock pricing and missing entries for goats and ducks, which Mr. Jallow claimed were sold but not recorded in the final report. When asked why he had not noticed these omissions earlier, he responded that he had not reviewed the document thoroughly before submitting it to the Ministry of Justice.
“If I had known there were mistakes, I would have returned it,” he said. “I didn’t verify it before signing.”
Despite his involvement, Mr. Jallow maintained that he did not personally handle any transactions or receive payments during the sales.
“I was just there to assist, not to manage the sales or handle money,” he stated.
Committee members expressed concern over the lack of due diligence and the failure to properly account for the assets, particularly given the sensitive nature of the Janneh Commission’s findings and the public interest in ensuring accountability.
Thursday’s proceedings left several questions unanswered, as lawmakers continue to investigate the processes surrounding the disposal of former President Jammeh’s assets. The committee is expected to summon additional witnesses in the coming days.
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